Inklingo

How to Say "pot" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “pot” is “olla” — use 'olla' when referring to a deep cooking pot or cauldron used for preparing food on a stove or over a fire..

olla🔊A1

Use 'olla' when referring to a deep cooking pot or cauldron used for preparing food on a stove or over a fire.

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marihuana🔊B1

Use 'marihuana' for the informal term referring to the cannabis plant or its psychoactive substance, often used in discussions about its effects or medicinal uses.

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hierba🔊C1

Use 'hierba' as a slang term for cannabis, often used in more casual or colloquial settings when discussing the drug.

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maria🔊B2

Use 'maria' as a very informal, slang term for cannabis, primarily used in certain regions like the US, and often heard in casual conversation.

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vaca🔊B2

Use 'vaca' to mean a collection of money from several people for a shared purpose, like buying a gift or paying for an event; it's like a 'kitty' or 'whip-round'.

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English → Spanish

olla

/OY-yah//ˈoʝa/

nounA1general
Use 'olla' when referring to a deep cooking pot or cauldron used for preparing food on a stove or over a fire.
A large, round ceramic cooking pot with two handles and a lid, sitting on a wooden surface.

Examples

Pon la olla en el fuego para hervir el agua.

Put the pot on the stove to boil the water.

Necesito una olla más grande para la sopa.

I need a bigger pot for the soup.

Feminine Noun

Even though it ends in 'a', just remember to always use 'la' before it: 'la olla'.

Olla vs. Sartén

Mistake: “Using 'olla' for frying an egg.”

Correction: Use 'olla' for boiling or making soups, and 'sartén' for frying or making omelets.

marihuana

mah-ree-WHAH-nah/ma.ɾiˈwa.na/

nounB1informal
Use 'marihuana' for the informal term referring to the cannabis plant or its psychoactive substance, often used in discussions about its effects or medicinal uses.
A brightly colored illustration of a single, iconic green cannabis leaf with seven points.

Examples

La marihuana medicinal se usa para tratar el dolor crónico.

Medical marijuana is used to treat chronic pain.

El cultivo de marihuana es legal en algunos estados.

The cultivation of cannabis is legal in some states.

Prefiero no hablar de marihuana en la oficina.

I prefer not to talk about marijuana in the office.

Always Feminine

Even though it refers to a plant or substance, 'marihuana' is always a feminine noun. Always use 'la' or 'una' before it.

Spelling Confusion

Mistake: “Writing 'marijuana' (with a 'j').”

Correction: The most common and accepted spelling in standard Spanish is 'marihuana' (with an 'h'), even though the 'j' spelling is standard in English.

hierba

/YAIR-bah//ˈjeɾ.βa/

nounC1slang
Use 'hierba' as a slang term for cannabis, often used in more casual or colloquial settings when discussing the drug.
A distinct, single seven-pointed cannabis leaf.

Examples

Dicen que van a legalizar la venta de hierba en el estado vecino.

They say they are going to legalize the sale of weed in the neighboring state.

maria

MAH-ree-ah/ˈmaɾja/

nounB2US slang
Use 'maria' as a very informal, slang term for cannabis, primarily used in certain regions like the US, and often heard in casual conversation.
A brightly colored illustration of a single green cannabis leaf with seven pointed lobes.

Examples

El olor a maria era muy fuerte en la calle.

The smell of weed was very strong on the street.

Dicen que venden buena maria en ese barrio.

They say they sell good marijuana in that neighborhood.

Always Feminine

Even though this word is slang, it is treated as a feminine noun, so you use 'la' before it: 'la maria'.

Confusing Register

Mistake: “Using 'maria' in formal or official contexts.”

Correction: Use 'marihuana' or 'cannabis' instead when speaking with police, doctors, or in official reports, as 'maria' is too casual.

vaca

/BAH-kah//ˈbaka/

nounB2colloquial
Use 'vaca' to mean a collection of money from several people for a shared purpose, like buying a gift or paying for an event; it's like a 'kitty' or 'whip-round'.
Multiple hands, representing different people, dropping shiny gold coins into a large, half-full glass jar, symbolizing a shared money collection.

Examples

Vamos a hacer una vaca para comprarle un regalo a Carlos.

We are going to start a collection (a kitty) to buy Carlos a gift.

Si todos ponemos diez euros, completamos la vaca para la cena.

If we all put in ten euros, we complete the pot for dinner.

Using 'Hacer'

The most common way to use this meaning is with the verb 'hacer' (to do/make): 'hacer una vaca' means 'to organize a collection'.

Confusing 'Pot' for Cooking vs. 'Pot' for Cannabis

The most frequent confusion for learners is between 'olla' (cooking pot) and the various terms for cannabis ('marihuana', 'hierba', 'maria'). Always consider the context: if you're talking about food, you need 'olla'; if you're talking about the plant or drug, use one of the other terms.

Related Translations

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