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A1 noun #3,000 الأكثر شيوعاً 11 دقيقة للقراءة

tomate

الأكثر شيوعاً #3,000

تدرّب عليها أمثلة ملاحظات ونصائح tomate في 30 ثانية

الشرح tomate in your Level:

At the A1 level, 'tomate' is one of the essential vocabulary words for food and shopping. You will learn it as a masculine noun ('el tomate'). At this stage, you should focus on using it in simple sentences like 'Me gusta el tomate' (I like tomatoes) or 'Compro tomates rojos' (I buy red tomatoes). You will likely encounter it in basic dialogues at a restaurant or a grocery store. It is important to remember that even though it ends in 'e', it is masculine. You should also learn its plural form, 'tomates', which simply adds an 's'. The focus is on recognition, basic pronunciation (toh-MAH-teh), and simple noun-adjective agreement.

At the A2 level, you begin to use 'tomate' in more descriptive contexts, such as following simple recipes or describing a meal in more detail. You will learn to use it with verbs like 'cortar' (to cut), 'pelar' (to peel), and 'cocinar' (to cook). You might encounter the phrase 'salsa de tomate' and start to distinguish between 'tomate natural' (fresh tomato) and 'tomate frito' (fried/sauced tomato). You will also learn the basic idiom 'ponerse rojo como un tomate' (to turn red as a tomato) to describe someone blushing. Your understanding of 'tomate' expands from a single object to an ingredient in common dishes like 'ensalada' or 'gazpacho'.

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

At the B1 level, you should be comfortable using 'tomate' in complex sentences and understanding its role in cultural contexts. You might learn about the 'Tomatina' festival or discuss the nutritional benefits of tomatoes using words like 'vitaminas' and 'antioxidantes'. You will also start to notice regional differences, such as the use of 'jitomate' in Mexico versus 'tomate' in Spain. At this level, you can describe the process of making a 'sofrito'—the essential tomato and onion base for many Spanish dishes—and explain why certain types of 'tomate' are better for specific recipes. Your vocabulary around the word becomes more specialized.

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

At the B2 level, you can handle abstract and idiomatic uses of 'tomate' with ease. You might encounter the word in news articles about agriculture or economy (e.g., the price of tomatoes in Almería). You understand the metaphorical use of 'tomate' to mean a 'scandal' or 'juicy gossip' in certain colloquial contexts. You can also discuss the history of the tomato, including its origin in the Americas and its impact on European cuisine after the Columbian exchange. You are expected to use the word correctly in all grammatical structures, including passive voice ('los tomates son cosechados') and complex conditional sentences.

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

At the C1 level, you have a nuanced understanding of 'tomate' including its botanical classifications and its role in literature or high-level culinary arts. You can distinguish between numerous varieties like 'tomate de buey', 'tomate raf', or 'tomate de colgar' and explain their specific uses. You understand the etymological roots from Nahuatl ('tomatl') and how the word evolved. In conversation, you can use 'tomate' in sophisticated metaphors and understand wordplay in media titles or advertisements. You are also aware of the sociolinguistic implications of using 'jitomate' versus 'tomate' in different Hispanic regions and can adapt your speech accordingly.

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

At the C2 level, 'tomate' is a word you use with the precision of a native speaker. You are familiar with obscure regionalisms and very specific culinary techniques involving the fruit. You can appreciate and use the word in literary contexts, perhaps in poetry or complex prose where the tomato might symbolize anything from the heat of summer to the blood of the earth. You can participate in deep cultural debates about the 'authentic' way to make a dish like gazpacho or salmorejo, defending your choice of 'tomate' variety with expert knowledge. The word is no longer just a noun; it is a versatile tool for expression, fully integrated into your mastery of the Spanish language.

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

تدرّب عليها أمثلة ملاحظات ونصائح

tomate في 30 ثانية

A masculine noun (el tomate) meaning tomato, vital for Spanish and Latin American cooking and culture.
Comes from the Nahuatl word 'tomatl'; it originated in the Americas and was brought to Europe by Spaniards.
Used in famous dishes like gazpacho and salsas; also used in idioms like 'ponerse rojo como un tomate'.
In Mexico, 'tomate' often means a green tomatillo, while 'jitomate' is used for the red variety.

The word tomate is a fundamental noun in the Spanish language, serving as an essential pillar of both the culinary world and everyday conversation. At its most basic level, it refers to the tomato, the red, juicy fruit of the plant Solanum lycopersicum. However, to understand tomate is to understand a significant portion of Hispanic culture, history, and daily life. In Spain and most of Latin America, the word identifies the red fruit we all know. However, a crucial linguistic distinction exists in Mexico, where tomate often refers to the small, green husk tomato (physalis philadelphica), known elsewhere as the tomatillo, while the red variety is specifically called jitomate. This distinction is vital for anyone traveling or cooking across different Spanish-speaking regions.

Culinary Essential: The tomate is the backbone of Mediterranean and Latin American diets, used in everything from gazpacho to salsa roja.
Botanical vs. Culinary: While botanically a fruit, in the Spanish language and kitchen, it is treated strictly as a vegetable (verdura) or produce (hortaliza).
Symbolic Usage: It represents health, freshness, and the vibrancy of the sun-drenched fields of regions like Almería or Sinaloa.

In everyday use, you will encounter tomate in the supermarket (el supermercado), at the local market (el mercado), and in countless recipes. It is a word that transcends social classes; whether you are dining at a Michelin-star restaurant in San Sebastián or eating a simple taco at a street stall in Mexico City, the tomate is present. It is often one of the first ten nouns a Spanish learner masters because of its phonetic simplicity and its ubiquitous presence in the physical environment. The word itself is a loanword from the Nahuatl word 'tomatl', reminding us of the tomato's indigenous roots in the Americas before it was introduced to Europe by Spanish explorers in the 16th century.

Para hacer un buen gazpacho, necesitas un tomate que esté muy maduro.

El precio del tomate ha subido mucho esta semana en el mercado.

¿Prefieres el tomate frito o el tomate natural para la pasta?

Me puse rojo como un tomate cuando tuve que hablar en público.

Esa planta de tomate está creciendo muy rápido en el jardín.

Beyond the literal fruit, tomate appears in several colorful idioms. To say someone is 'como un tomate' means they are blushing intensely out of embarrassment or perhaps sunburned. In some colloquial contexts, 'un tomate' can even refer to a hole in a sock, particularly at the heel or toe. These metaphorical uses demonstrate how deeply the physical characteristics of the tomato—its roundness and its vibrant red color—are embedded in the Spanish linguistic psyche. When you study tomate, you aren't just learning a grocery item; you are learning a word that bridges the gap between the Old World and the New, between literal nourishment and figurative expression.

Using tomate correctly in a sentence involves more than just knowing the translation. Since it is a masculine noun, you must always align your articles and adjectives accordingly. For example, you would say el tomate rojo (the red tomato) or unos tomates maduros (some ripe tomatoes). The versatility of the word allows it to function as the subject of a sentence, the direct object, or part of a prepositional phrase. Whether you are ordering food or describing a garden, the placement and agreement of tomate are key to sounding natural.

As a Subject: El tomate es el ingrediente principal de la ensalada murciana.
As a Direct Object: ¿Puedes comprar medio kilo de tomate en la frutería?
In Prepositional Phrases: Me gusta el arroz con mucho tomate y huevo frito.

When discussing quantities, tomate is a countable noun. You can have un tomate, dos tomates, or muchos tomates. However, when referring to tomato as a general substance (like tomato sauce or crushed tomato), it can sometimes behave like an uncountable noun in specific culinary contexts, such as echar un poco de tomate (adding a bit of tomato). This is similar to how 'chicken' can be 'a chicken' (the animal) or 'some chicken' (the food) in English. Mastering these subtle shifts in countability will elevate your Spanish from basic to intermediate levels.

Si el tomate no está dulce, puedes añadirle una pizca de azúcar.

He plantado tres variedades diferentes de tomate en mi huerto urbano.

La sopa de tomate es perfecta para los días fríos de invierno.

Furthermore, pay attention to the verbs that commonly accompany tomate. You don't just 'eat' a tomato; you can pelar (peel), picar (chop), rallar (grate), or freír (fry) it. In Spain, tomate rallado is a staple for breakfast, served on toasted bread with olive oil (pan con tomate). In Mexico, you might tatemar (roast/char) the tomato for a smoky salsa. Each of these actions changes the texture and flavor profile, and knowing the specific verbs associated with the tomate will help you navigate a Spanish-language kitchen or menu with confidence. By practicing these sentence patterns, you ensure that the word becomes a functional tool in your linguistic toolkit rather than just a static vocabulary entry.

The word tomate is omnipresent in the Spanish-speaking world, echoing through various environments from the bustling morning markets to the high-stakes environment of a professional kitchen. If you walk into a mercado central in any Spanish city, you will hear vendors shouting the price of their tomates de la huerta (tomatoes from the garden). The auditory experience of the word is sharp and rhythmic: to-ma-te. It is a word of the people, used by grandmothers sharing recipes and by children picking out vegetables they dislike.

In the Market: '¡A euro el kilo de tomate, oiga!' - A common cry from street vendors.
In Restaurants: Waiters will often ask: '¿Desea la ensalada con o sin tomate?'
On Television: Cooking shows are rife with the word, especially when discussing the 'sofrito' base.

One of the most famous places you will hear the word—and see the fruit in action—is at the Tomatina festival in Buñol, Spain. Here, thousands of people gather to throw overripe tomates at each other in a massive, chaotic food fight. During this festival, the word tomate is shouted with joy and excitement, becoming a symbol of communal fun and messy tradition. In a more domestic setting, you'll hear it every morning in Spanish bars during breakfast time: '¿Me pone una tostada con tomate?' is perhaps the most frequently uttered sentence in Spain between 8:00 AM and 10:00 AM.

En la televisión dijeron que el tomate es muy bueno para el corazón.

¡Cuidado! Te has manchado la camisa con un poco de tomate.

In Latin America, the word's presence is equally strong but varies in flavor. In Mexico, you'll hear it in the context of 'salsas', but remember the regional nuance: if you want the red ones for your salsa, you might hear the word jitomate more often than tomate. In the Caribbean, you'll hear it in the context of 'guisos' (stews). Regardless of the country, the word is a linguistic anchor. It connects the listener to the land, the kitchen, and the shared heritage of the Spanish-speaking world. Listening for this word in podcasts, movies, or real-life conversations will help you tune your ear to the natural cadence of Spanish speech, as it is a word that is rarely emphasized but always essential.

Even for a word as simple as tomate, English speakers and new learners often stumble. The most frequent error is related to grammatical gender. Many learners assume that because 'tomate' ends in 'e', it might be feminine or neutral. However, it is strictly masculine: el tomate. Saying 'la tomate' is a hallmark of a beginner and can make a sentence sound jarring to a native speaker. Always pair it with masculine articles (el, un, los, unos) and masculine adjectives (rojo, maduro, sabroso).

Gender Confusion: Incorrect: 'La tomate es roja.' Correct: 'El tomate es rojo.'
Pronunciation Pitfalls: Avoid the English 'toe-may-toe'. In Spanish, it is 'toh-MAH-teh', with a crisp 'e' at the end.
Regional Misuse: Using 'tomate' for red tomatoes in central/southern Mexico, where 'jitomate' is preferred.

Another common mistake is the literal translation of English compound words. For instance, 'tomato sauce' shouldn't always be 'salsa de tomate'. While that is understood, in Spain, the specific product used for cooking is almost always called tomate frito. If you ask for 'salsa de tomate' in a Spanish supermarket, they might point you to ketchup or a Mexican-style salsa instead of the cooking base you actually need. Similarly, 'tomato paste' is often tomate concentrado. Understanding these specific culinary terms prevents confusion in the kitchen and at the grocery store.

No digas 'quiero una tomate', di 'quiero un tomate'.

Finally, learners often forget that tomate is a countable noun. In English, we might say 'I want some tomato on my sandwich,' treating it as a mass noun. In Spanish, it's more common to say quiero tomate (general) or unas rodajas de tomate (specific slices). If you say 'un poco de tomate', it usually implies a sauce or a purée rather than pieces of the fruit. Paying attention to these nuances of countability and regional terminology will help you avoid the 'gringo' traps that many learners fall into, allowing you to speak with greater precision and cultural awareness.

While tomate is the standard term, the Spanish language offers a variety of related words and alternatives depending on the variety of the fruit or the region you are in. Understanding these synonyms and near-synonyms is essential for advanced comprehension, especially when reading menus or botanical descriptions. The most significant alternative is jitomate, used primarily in Mexico to distinguish the red tomato from the green tomate verde. Without this distinction, a recipe in Mexico could go terribly wrong!

Jitomate: The specific term for red tomatoes in Mexico. It comes from the Nahuatl 'xictlitomatl'.
Tomatillo / Tomate Verde: The small, green fruit with a papery husk, used for salsa verde.
Tomate Cherry: The universal term for small, cherry-sized tomatoes, though sometimes called 'tomate cereza'.

In some poetic or very old-fashioned contexts, you might see the tomato referred to as the manzana de amor (love apple), a literal translation of the old French 'pomme d'amour'. However, this is never used in modern daily speech. Another related term is pomodoro, which is the Italian word for tomato. While not Spanish, you will frequently see it on menus in Spanish-speaking countries, particularly in Italian restaurants (e.g., 'Pasta al pomodoro'). Knowing that pomodoro and tomate are the same thing helps you navigate international cuisines within the Spanish context.

En México, si pides un tomate, puede que te den uno verde y pequeño.

El tomate cherry es ideal para las ensaladas de verano.

There are also specific terms for the state of the tomato. A tomate maduro is a ripe tomato, perfect for sauces, while a tomate verde (in the sense of unripe) is a green, firm tomato. In Spain, you might also hear about the tomate de colgar, a specific variety that is hung in bunches and keeps for months, traditionally used for rubbing on bread. By learning these variations—from the jitomate of the Aztecs to the tomate de colgar of Catalonia—you gain a much richer understanding of the language and the diverse cultures that speak it. This knowledge allows you to be more specific in your requests and more appreciative of the subtle differences in Hispanic gastronomy.

How Formal Is It?

رسمي

"El consumo de tomate es altamente beneficioso para la salud."

محايد

"Por favor, compre un kilo de tomates."

غير رسمي

"¡Este tomate está buenísimo!"

Child friendly

"El tomate es rojo y redondo como una pelota."

عامية

"¡Vaya tomate se ha montado!"

حقيقة ممتعة

Europeans were initially afraid to eat tomatoes, believing them to be poisonous because they belong to the nightshade family. They were used mainly as ornamental plants for decades.

دليل النطق

UK /təˈmɑː.təʊ/

US /təˈmeɪ.toʊ/

The stress is on the second syllable: to-MA-te.

يتقافى مع

Escápate Rescátate Remate Disparate Escápate Combate Debate Escápate

أخطاء شائعة

Pronouncing the final 'e' like 'o' (tomato).
Using the English 'ay' sound in the second syllable.
Making the 't' too aspirated; in Spanish, 't' is dental and soft.
Treating it as a feminine word because of the 'e' ending.
Ignoring the clear three-syllable structure (to-ma-te).

مستوى الصعوبة

القراءة 1/5

Very easy to recognize as it is a cognate.

الكتابة 1/5

Simple spelling, just remember the 'e' at the end.

التحدث 2/5

Requires attention to the soft 't' and the final 'e' sound.

الاستماع 1/5

Clearly pronounced in most dialects.

ماذا تتعلّم بعد ذلك

المتطلبات الأساسية

Rojo Comida Fruta Verdura El

تعلّم لاحقاً

Cebolla Lechuga Aceite Sal Cuchillo

متقدم

Licopeno Solanácea Hibridación Sofrito Escaldar

قواعد يجب معرفتها

Noun-Adjective Agreement

El tomate rojo (not roja).

Pluralization of Nouns ending in Vowels

Tomate -> Tomates (add -s).

Masculine Gender for 'e' endings

El tomate, el puente, el coche.

Use of 'de' for Compound Nouns

Salsa de tomate (Tomato sauce).

Direct Object Pronouns

Compro el tomate -> Lo compro.

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

أمثلة حسب المستوى

El tomate es rojo.

The tomato is red.

Masculine singular: 'El' + 'tomate'.

Yo como un tomate.

I eat a tomato.

Direct object: 'un tomate'.

Me gustan los tomates.

I like tomatoes.

Plural form: 'los tomates'.

¿Tienes un tomate?

Do you have a tomato?

Question structure with indefinite article.

El tomate es una verdura.

The tomato is a vegetable.

Noun as subject.

Compro dos tomates.

I buy two tomatoes.

Number + plural noun.

El tomate está en la mesa.

The tomato is on the table.

Verb 'estar' for location.

No quiero tomate.

I don't want tomato.

Negative sentence.

Necesito tomates para la ensalada.

I need tomatoes for the salad.

Preposition 'para' indicating purpose.

Ella corta el tomate con un cuchillo.

She cuts the tomato with a knife.

Verb 'cortar' in present tense.

El tomate está muy maduro.

The tomato is very ripe.

Adjective agreement (masculine singular).

¿Dónde está la salsa de tomate?

Where is the tomato sauce?

Compound noun 'salsa de tomate'.

Ayer compré tomates en el mercado.

Yesterday I bought tomatoes at the market.

Preterite tense of 'comprar'.

Ponte un poco de tomate en el pan.

Put a little tomato on the bread.

Imperative form 'ponte'.

Se puso rojo como un tomate.

He turned red as a tomato.

Idiomatic expression for blushing.

Los tomates de este jardín son deliciosos.

The tomatoes from this garden are delicious.

Possessive 'de' + noun.

Es importante lavar bien el tomate antes de comerlo.

It is important to wash the tomato well before eating it.

Infinitive 'lavar' and object pronoun 'lo'.

Si tuviera tomates, haría un gazpacho.

If I had tomatoes, I would make a gazpacho.

Imperfect subjunctive + conditional.

El tomate frito es la base de muchas recetas españolas.

Fried tomato sauce is the base of many Spanish recipes.

Specific culinary term 'tomate frito'.

Me encanta el sabor del tomate natural recién cogido.

I love the taste of a freshly picked natural tomato.

Genitive 'del' (de + el).

Hay que pelar los tomates para esta salsa.

The tomatoes must be peeled for this sauce.

Obligation with 'hay que'.

El tomate cherry es perfecto para picar entre horas.

Cherry tomatoes are perfect for snacking between meals.

Compound noun 'tomate cherry'.

No sabía que el tomate venía de América.

I didn't know that the tomato came from America.

Imperfect tense for historical facts.

El precio del tomate ha subido por la sequía.

The price of tomatoes has risen due to the drought.

Present perfect tense.

El tomate Raf es conocido por su sabor dulce y su textura firme.

The Raf tomato is known for its sweet flavor and firm texture.

Passive voice 'es conocido'.

A pesar de ser botánicamente una fruta, el tomate se usa como verdura.

Despite being botanically a fruit, the tomato is used as a vegetable.

Conjunction 'A pesar de'.

La Tomatina es una fiesta donde se lanzan toneladas de tomate.

La Tomatina is a festival where tons of tomatoes are thrown.

Relative clause 'donde'.

El sofrito requiere que el tomate se cocine a fuego lento.

The sofrito requires the tomato to be cooked over low heat.

Subjunctive after a verb of requirement.

Dudo que encuentres un tomate mejor en toda la ciudad.

I doubt you will find a better tomato in the whole city.

Subjunctive after 'dudo que'.

El tomate triturado es ideal para preparar una base de pizza.

Crushed tomato is ideal for preparing a pizza base.

Adjective 'triturado'.

Se dice que el tomate previene ciertas enfermedades.

It is said that tomatoes prevent certain diseases.

Impersonal 'se'.

Los tomates de colgar se conservan durante mucho tiempo.

Hanging tomatoes are preserved for a long time.

Reflexive 'se conservan'.

La versatilidad del tomate en la cocina mediterránea es innegable.

The versatility of the tomato in Mediterranean cuisine is undeniable.

Abstract noun 'versatilidad'.

El término 'jitomate' es un nahuatlismo esencial en el español de México.

The term 'jitomate' is an essential Nahuatlism in Mexican Spanish.

Specialized terminology 'nahuatlismo'.

El cultivo del tomate bajo plástico ha transformado la economía de Almería.

Tomato cultivation under plastic has transformed Almeria's economy.

Prepositional phrase 'bajo plástico'.

No debemos subestimar la importancia del tomate en la seguridad alimentaria.

We must not underestimate the importance of the tomato in food security.

Infinitive phrase as direct object.

El tomate, una vez introducido en Europa, fue inicialmente ornamental.

The tomato, once introduced to Europe, was initially ornamental.

Apposition and historical context.

La acidez del tomate puede corregirse con una pizca de bicarbonato.

The acidity of the tomato can be corrected with a pinch of baking soda.

Passive reflexive 'puede corregirse'.

Cualquier chef que se precie sabe elegir el tomate adecuado para cada plato.

Any chef worth their salt knows how to choose the right tomato for each dish.

Relative clause with 'que se precie'.

El tomate deshidratado aporta un sabor intenso a los guisos.

Sun-dried tomatoes provide an intense flavor to stews.

Adjective 'deshidratado'.

El tomate se erige como el protagonista indiscutible del bodegón barroco.

The tomato stands as the undisputed protagonist of the Baroque still life.

Literary verb 'erigirse'.

La metamorfosis del tomate, de planta exótica a pilar dietético, es fascinante.

The metamorphosis of the tomato, from exotic plant to dietary pillar, is fascinating.

Complex noun phrases.

Su rostro era un poema, encendido como un tomate en el crepúsculo.

His face was a poem, lit up like a tomato in the twilight.

Metaphorical and poetic usage.

La sobreexplotación del suelo para el monocultivo de tomate plantea serios dilemas éticos.

The overexploitation of soil for tomato monoculture poses serious ethical dilemmas.

Academic and environmental vocabulary.

Aquel 'tomate' en su calcetín delataba su falta de atención al detalle.

That 'hole' in his sock betrayed his lack of attention to detail.

Colloquialism used in a formal structure.

El umami, tan presente en el tomate, es el responsable de su éxito culinario global.

Umami, so present in tomatoes, is responsible for its global culinary success.

Appositive phrase.

La hibridación ha permitido obtener variedades de tomate resistentes a las plagas.

Hybridization has allowed for the creation of tomato varieties resistant to pests.

Technical scientific Spanish.

Pese a las inclemencias del tiempo, la cosecha de tomate ha sido excepcional.

Despite the inclemency of the weather, the tomato harvest has been exceptional.

Formal preposition 'pese a'.

تلازمات شائعة

tomate maduro

salsa de tomate

zumo de tomate

ensalada de tomate

tomate frito

tomate natural

rodaja de tomate

tomate pelado

planta de tomate

kilo de tomates

العبارات الشائعة

Pan con tomate

— A traditional Spanish dish consisting of bread rubbed with tomato, olive oil, and salt.

El pan con tomate es el desayuno típico en Cataluña.

Tomate triturado

— Crushed or puréed tomato, usually sold in cans or cartons.

Necesitamos tomate triturado para la lasaña.

Tomate cherry

— Small, bite-sized tomatoes.

Los niños prefieren el tomate cherry porque es dulce.

Sopa de tomate

— Tomato soup, a common warm dish.

La sopa de tomate con albahaca es mi favorita.

Concentrado de tomate

— Tomato paste, a thick and intense tomato reduction.

Solo necesitas una cucharada de concentrado de tomate.

Tomate de huerta

— Homegrown or garden-fresh tomatoes.

No hay nada como el sabor de un tomate de huerta.

Ensalada mixta con tomate

— A mixed salad that includes tomato as a key ingredient.

La ensalada mixta siempre lleva tomate y lechuga.

Arroz con tomate

— Rice cooked or served with tomato sauce.

A los niños les encanta el arroz con tomate.

Tomate verde

— Either an unripe red tomato or the specific Mexican green husk tomato.

El tomate verde es muy ácido.

Poner tomate

— To add tomato to something.

¿Le vas a poner tomate al bocadillo?

يُخلط عادةً مع

tomate vs tómate

This is a verb form (take/drink). The accent changes everything.

tomate vs pimiento

Pepper. Often used together, but they are different vegetables.

tomate vs caqui

Persimmon. Sometimes looks like a tomato but is a very sweet fruit.

تعبيرات اصطلاحية

"Ponerse rojo como un tomate"

— To blush deeply out of embarrassment or shame.

Se puso rojo como un tomate cuando ella lo miró.

Informal

"Tener un tomate"

— To have a hole in a sock, usually at the heel or toe.

No me quité los zapatos porque tenía un tomate en el calcetín.

Colloquial

"Aquí hay tomate"

— There is something juicy or scandalous going on here; a hidden relationship or conflict.

Entre esos dos compañeros de trabajo hay tomate.

Slang/Informal

"Darle a alguien para el tomate"

— To scold someone harshly or, in some regions, to beat someone up.

Su padre le dio para el tomate por llegar tarde.

Colloquial (Regional)

"Vete a freír tomates"

— A way to tell someone to go away or stop bothering you (similar to 'go fly a kite').

¡Déjame en paz y vete a freír tomates!

Informal

"Ser un tomate"

— In some contexts, to be very clumsy or useless (less common).

Soy un tomate jugando al fútbol.

Informal

"Estar como un tomate"

— To be very sunburned.

Después de un día en la playa, estoy como un tomate.

Informal

"Hacer un tomate"

— To make a mess or to create a scandalous situation.

¡Vaya tomate has hecho en la cocina!

Informal

"Tomate de árbol"

— Not an idiom, but a common confusion; it's a different fruit (tamarillo) common in South America.

El tomate de árbol es bueno para los jugos.

Neutral

"¡Qué tomate!"

— What a mess! or What a scandal!

¡Qué tomate se montó en la reunión de ayer!

Informal

سهل الخلط

tomate vs Jitomate

Both refer to the same fruit.

Jitomate is used in Mexico for red tomatoes; Tomate is used elsewhere or for green ones in Mexico.

En CDMX pides jitomate para tu ensalada.

tomate vs Tomatillo

Similar name.

Tomatillo is a small green fruit with a husk, not a regular tomato.

El tomatillo es para la salsa verde.

tomate vs Manzana

Both are round fruits.

Manzana is an apple; Tomate is a tomato. Don't mix them up in a fruit salad!

La manzana es dulce, el tomate es ácido.

tomate vs Patata

Both are nightshades from the Americas.

Patata is a potato (tuber); Tomate is a fruit.

Hago tortilla de patata, no de tomate.

tomate vs Pisto

Contains tomato.

Pisto is a dish (like ratatouille), not the vegetable itself.

El pisto lleva mucho tomate.

أنماط الجُمل

El [noun] es [adjective].

El tomate es rojo.

Quiero [number] [noun].

Quiero dos tomates.

Me gusta el [noun] con [noun].

Me gusta el tomate con sal.

[Verb] el [noun].

Corta el tomate.

Es necesario [infinitive] el [noun].

Es necesario lavar el tomate.

Si [subjunctive], [conditional].

Si tuviera tomate, haría salsa.

El [noun] [passive verb].

El tomate es cultivado en España.

A pesar de [infinitive], el [noun]...

A pesar de ser caro, el tomate Raf es popular.

عائلة الكلمة

الأسماء

الأفعال

الصفات

مرتبط

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كيفية الاستخدام

frequency

Extremely high in daily life and culinary contexts.

أخطاء شائعة

La tomate → El tomate
Tomate is masculine, even though it ends in 'e'. Always use 'el' or 'un'.
Salsa de tomate (for ketchup) → Kétchup
In most Spanish-speaking countries, 'salsa de tomate' refers to cooking sauce, not the condiment.
Pronouncing it like 'tomato' → To-ma-te
The Spanish pronunciation has three syllables and ends in an 'e' sound, not an 'o' sound.
Using 'tomate' for red tomatoes in Mexico City → Jitomate
In central Mexico, 'tomate' refers to the green husk tomato. You must say 'jitomate' for the red one.
Me gusta tomate → Me gusta el tomate
In Spanish, you usually need the definite article when talking about things you like in general.

نصائح

Gender Agreement

Always use masculine adjectives with tomate. For example, 'tomate rojo' not 'tomate roja'. This applies even if you are talking about many tomatoes: 'tomates rojos'.

The Mexican Distinction

If you are in Mexico, remember to use 'jitomate' for the red ones. If you say 'tomate', you might get a green one with a husk, which tastes very different!

Tomate Frito

In Spain, 'tomate frito' is a specific product. It's not just fried tomatoes; it's a smooth, cooked sauce used as a base for almost everything.

Blushing

Use 'ponerse rojo como un tomate' to describe someone who is very embarrassed. It's a very natural-sounding idiom that will make you sound more fluent.

The Final E

Don't drop the final 'e' or turn it into an 'o'. It's 'to-ma-te', not 'to-ma-to' or 'to-mat'. The 'e' is short and crisp.

Buying by Weight

In Spanish markets, you usually ask for tomatoes by the kilo: 'un kilo de tomates'. If you only want one, say 'un solo tomate'.

The Plant

If you are talking about the plant in your garden, the word is 'tomatera'. 'Tomate' is only the fruit itself.

Nahuatl Roots

Knowing that 'tomate' comes from Nahuatl 'tomatl' helps you remember its history and its connection to the Americas.

Peeling Tomatoes

The verb for peeling a tomato is 'pelar'. For many sauces, you need 'tomates pelados'. You can do this by 'escaldar' (blanching) them.

Juicy Gossip

If someone says 'aquí hay tomate', they aren't talking about salad. They mean there's some secret romance or gossip happening!

احفظها

وسيلة تذكّر

Think of a 'To-Ma-Te' as a 'Toe' hitting a 'Mat' in the 'Tea' - three clear syllables. Or remember: 'Tom' ate a 'Tomate'.

ربط بصري

Visualize a giant, red, smiling tomato wearing a masculine hat (since it's 'el tomate').

Word Web

Rojo Salsa Ensalada Maduro Huerta Planta Semilla Gazpacho

تحدٍّ

Go to a grocery store and identify three different types of 'tomate'. Say their names out loud with the masculine article 'el'.

أصل الكلمة

Derived from the Spanish 'tomate', which was borrowed from the Nahuatl word 'tomatl' (meaning 'swelling fruit'). It entered the Spanish language in the 16th century following the conquest of Mexico.

المعنى الأصلي: A swelling or fat fruit.

Uto-Aztecan (Nahuatl) to Romance (Spanish).

السياق الثقافي

Be aware of the Mexico/Spain terminology difference to avoid confusion when ordering or cooking.

In the US and UK, tomatoes are often associated with ketchup, whereas in Spanish-speaking countries, they are seen as a fresh, versatile base for almost every meal.

La Tomatina (Festival in Buñol) Oda al Tomate (Poem by Pablo Neruda) Tomatillo (Mexican cuisine staple)

تدرّب في الحياة الواقعية

سياقات واقعية

At the Supermarket

¿A cuánto está el kilo de tomates?
Quiero los tomates más maduros.
¿Tienen tomates cherry?
Solo necesito un tomate.

In a Restaurant

Sin tomate, por favor.
¿La salsa lleva tomate?
Una ensalada de tomate y cebolla.
¿Tienen zumo de tomate?

In the Kitchen

Pica el tomate finamente.
Hay que pelar el tomate.
Añade el tomate frito a la sartén.
Ralla el tomate para el pan.

Gardening

Las tomateras necesitan agua.
El tomate está creciendo.
Es hora de recoger los tomates.
Hay una plaga en el tomate.

Socializing (Idioms)

No te pongas como un tomate.
¡Menudo tomate hay allí!
Tengo un tomate en el calcetín.
¡Vete a freír tomates!

بدايات محادثة

"¿Te gusta el tomate en la hamburguesa o prefieres sin él?"

"¿Sabías que el tomate es originalmente de México y no de Europa?"

"¿Cuál es tu receta favorita que use mucho tomate?"

"¿Prefieres el tomate crudo en ensalada o cocinado en salsa?"

"¿Has oído hablar de la fiesta de la Tomatina en España?"

مواضيع للكتابة اليومية

Describe tu comida favorita que lleve tomate como ingrediente principal.

Escribe sobre una vez que te pusiste rojo como un tomate por vergüenza.

Si tuvieras un huerto, ¿qué tipo de tomates plantarías y por qué?

Imagina que vas a la Tomatina. Describe la experiencia usando la palabra tomate cinco veces.

Compara el sabor del tomate de supermercado con el de un tomate de huerta.

الأسئلة الشائعة

10 أسئلة

Es masculino: el tomate. Nunca digas 'la tomate'. Esto es una regla fija en español que los estudiantes a menudo olvidan debido a la terminación en 'e'.

En la mayoría de los países, 'tomate' es el fruto rojo. En México, 'tomate' suele ser el verde con cáscara, y 'jitomate' es el rojo. Es una distinción regional muy importante.

Se suele decir 'tomate frito' si es para cocinar, o 'salsa de tomate'. Si te refieres al kétchup, simplemente di 'kétchup'.

Significa tener mucha vergüenza y que se te ponga la cara roja (blush). Es un modismo muy común en todos los países de habla hispana.

Se dice 'tomate cherry' o 'tomate cereza'. La forma 'cherry' es muy común incluso en español.

Botánicamente es una fruta, pero en español (y en la cocina) se clasifica siempre como verdura u hortaliza.

Es un plato típico, especialmente en Cataluña (pa amb tomàquet), que consiste en pan tostado con tomate restregado, aceite de oliva y sal.

Sí, coloquialmente 'vaya tomate' puede significar 'qué lío' o 'qué problema tan grande'.

Se pronuncia /toˈmate/. Tres sílabas claras: to-ma-te. La última 'e' suena como la 'e' de 'elefante'.

Viene del náhuatl 'tomatl'. Los españoles llevaron la palabra y el fruto desde México al resto del mundo.

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