Inklingo

How to Say "to taste" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “to taste” is “gustar” — use 'gustar' when describing how a food or drink appeals to the senses, often in a more abstract or aesthetic sense, rather than the physical act of sampling.

English → Spanish

gustar

goos-TARɡusˈtaɾ

verbB1
Use 'gustar' when describing how a food or drink appeals to the senses, often in a more abstract or aesthetic sense, rather than the physical act of sampling.
A close-up of a person sampling a small amount of brightly colored jam from a tiny spoon, focusing on the sensory act of tasting.

Examples

Este vino gusta mucho.

This wine is very pleasing to the taste.

El chef quería gustar el plato a los comensales.

The chef wanted the dish to appeal to the diners.

No pude gustar el vino antes de comprarlo.

I couldn't taste the wine before buying it.

Direct Use

In this meaning, 'gustar' often works like a normal verb where the person doing the action (tasting/sampling) is the subject, though it can still be used in the inverted structure when meaning 'to appeal to'.

probar

verbA2
Use 'probar' for the direct physical action of sampling food or drink to test its flavor or quality.

Examples

Quiero probar la paella.

I want to taste the paella.

saborear

sah-boh-reh-ahrsaβoɾeˈaɾ

verbA2
Use 'saborear' when you want to emphasize the act of slowly enjoying and appreciating the specific flavors of something.
A child closing their eyes with a smile while eating a large strawberry.

Examples

Disfruto saborear mi té por la mañana.

I enjoy savoring my tea in the morning.

Me gusta saborear el café lentamente por la mañana.

I like to savor my coffee slowly in the morning.

Saboreó cada bocado de la tarta de chocolate.

She savored every bite of the chocolate cake.

Es importante saborear los ingredientes frescos de la región.

It is important to taste the fresh ingredients of the region.

A Friendly Regular Verb

This verb is very easy to use because it follows the standard pattern for all verbs ending in -ar.

Using the 'What'

In Spanish, you usually mention what you are savoring directly after the verb, just like in English.

Don't confuse with 'Saber'

Mistake: “La comida sabe la victoria.”

Correction: La comida sabe bien (The food tastes good) OR Él saborea la victoria (He savors the victory). 'Saber' describes the taste, 'Saborear' is the action of enjoying it.

saber

sa-bersaˈβeɾ

verbB1
Use 'saber' when describing the inherent flavor or taste of something, often in comparison to another flavor.
A steaming bowl of soup on a table. Stylized steam rises from the soup, containing small, distinct garlic cloves, illustrating the flavor.

Examples

Esta fruta sabe dulce.

This fruit tastes sweet.

Esta sopa sabe a ajo.

This soup tastes like garlic.

El café sabe amargo.

The coffee tastes bitter.

¡Qué bien sabe esta paella!

This paella tastes so good!

The Taste Formula

To describe what something tastes like, use the formula: [The food] + 'saber' + 'a' + [the flavor]. For example: 'El pollo sabe a limón' (The chicken tastes like lemon).

Forgetting 'a'

Mistake: “It's easy to forget the little word 'a' after 'saber'. For example: *La fruta sabe fresa.*”

Correction: Remember to always include 'a' when naming the flavor: 'La fruta sabe a fresa.'

Gustar vs. Probar

Learners often confuse 'gustar' and 'probar'. Remember that 'probar' is for the physical act of tasting something, like sampling a dish. 'Gustar', when used for taste, is more about how something appeals to the palate, like saying 'this wine tastes good' (Este vino gusta).

Related Translations

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