Inklingo

How to Say "pod" in Spanish

English → Spanish

cápsula

nounA2
Use 'cápsula' when referring to a small, sealed container, most commonly for coffee or medicine.

Examples

Compré unas cápsulas de café para la máquina nueva.

I bought some coffee pods for the new machine.

vaina

BYE-nahˈbeina

nounC1
Use 'vaina' to describe the pod that holds seeds, such as those found on peas or beans in their natural state.
A bright green pea pod split open to reveal round green peas inside.

Examples

Los guisantes están listos para cosechar dentro de su vaina.

The peas are ready to harvest inside their pod.

Tienes que quitar los guisantes de la vaina.

You have to remove the peas from the pod.

El caballero metió la espada en su vaina.

The knight put the sword in its sheath.

La vainilla viene de una vaina de orquídea.

Vanilla comes from an orchid pod.

Describing Containers

When used literally, it refers to something that tightly encloses another thing, especially in nature or weaponry.

Capsule vs. Seed Pod

Learners often confuse 'cápsula' and 'vaina' because both can refer to a container. Remember that 'cápsula' is artificial (like for coffee/medicine), while 'vaina' is natural (like for peas/beans).

Related Translations

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