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How to Say "raw" in Spanish

English → Spanish

crudo

kroo-dohˈkɾuðo

adjectiveA1general
Use 'crudo' when referring to food or other items that have not been cooked or processed by heat.
A fresh, bright red slice of steak on a clean white plate.

Examples

Me encanta el sushi con salmón crudo.

I love sushi with raw salmon.

No me gusta el pescado crudo.

I don't like raw fish.

Las zanahorias crudas son muy buenas para la salud.

Raw carrots are very good for your health.

Este pollo está crudo por dentro, hay que cocinarlo más.

This chicken is raw on the inside; it needs to be cooked more.

Matching the Ending

Since this is an adjective, it must match the gender of the food. Use 'crudo' for masculine things (el jamón crudo) and 'cruda' for feminine things (la cebolla cruda).

Placement

Usually, 'crudo' comes after the noun it describes, like 'pescado crudo,' to distinguish it from cooked fish.

Raw vs. Rude

Mistake: “Using 'crudo' to mean a 'rude' person.”

Correction: Use 'grosero' or 'maleducado' for people. 'Crudo' refers to the state of food or harsh reality.

bruto

broo-tohˈbɾuto

adjectiveB1general
Use 'bruto' to describe materials or figures that are in their basic, unprocessed, or total state, often before deductions.
A large, overflowing wooden crate filled to the top with bright red apples.

Examples

El precio bruto incluye todos los impuestos.

The gross price includes all taxes.

Mi salario bruto es de dos mil euros.

My gross salary is two thousand euros.

La empresa exporta diamantes en bruto.

The company exports rough (uncut) diamonds.

Placement

In finance, 'bruto' almost always comes after the word it describes, like 'salario bruto'.

Gross as Disgusting

Mistake: “Using 'bruto' to mean 'yucky' or 'disgusting'.”

Correction: In Spanish, 'bruto' is for math or totals. If something is disgusting, use 'asco' or 'asqueroso'.

primo

PREE-mohˈpɾimo

adjectiveB1technical
Use 'primo' specifically when talking about 'materia prima,' meaning raw materials in an industrial or economic context.
A single, perfect, bright red apple displayed prominently on a small wooden pedestal.

Examples

La fábrica necesita más materia prima para continuar la producción.

The factory needs more raw material to continue production.

El número siete es un número primo.

The number seven is a prime number.

Necesitamos mucha materia prima para la construcción de la casa.

We need a lot of raw material for the construction of the house.

Paired Nouns

This adjective is most often seen in specific fixed phrases like 'materia prima' (raw material) or 'número primo' (prime number), where it functions much like a technical descriptor.

verde

BEHR-dehˈbeɾðe

adjectiveB1general
Use 'verde' to describe fruits or vegetables that are not ripe or ready to eat, implying they are 'raw' because they are undeveloped.
A small, firm, light green banana still attached to the plant, indicating it is unripe.

Examples

Estas manzanas están verdes, espera a que maduren.

These apples are raw/unripe, wait for them to ripen.

No puedes comer esas fresas; todavía están muy verdes.

You can't eat those strawberries; they are still very unripe.

Es un empleado nuevo y todavía está un poco verde en el puesto.

He is a new employee and is still a bit green/inexperienced in the position.

Crudo vs. Verde for Uncooked Food

Learners often confuse 'crudo' and 'verde' when referring to uncooked food. 'Crudo' applies to food typically eaten cooked but served without it (like raw fish or meat), while 'verde' is for fruits and vegetables that are not yet ripe.

Related Translations

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