cebolla
Onion.
The onion is a versatile, pungent bulb vegetable used as a fundamental base for flavoring countless dishes worldwide.
Word in 30 Seconds
- A common bulb vegetable used for cooking.
- Known for its pungent flavor and smell.
- Essential ingredient in many global cuisines.
Summary
The onion is a versatile, pungent bulb vegetable used as a fundamental base for flavoring countless dishes worldwide.
- A common bulb vegetable used for cooking.
- Known for its pungent flavor and smell.
- Essential ingredient in many global cuisines.
Chill it to stop the tears
Put the onion in the fridge for 30 minutes before cutting. This slows down the chemical reaction that causes eye irritation.
Don't feed to pets
Onions are toxic to dogs and cats. Avoid feeding them any food containing onions or garlic.
The foundation of Spanish cooking
In Spain, the 'sofrito' base of onion, garlic, and tomato is the heart of almost every traditional stew.
Examples
4 of 4Voy a picar una cebolla para el guiso.
I am going to chop an onion for the stew.
La receta requiere cebolla finamente picada.
The recipe requires finely chopped onion.
¡No le pongas tanta cebolla a mi taco!
Don't put so much onion on my taco!
Allium cepa es el nombre científico de la cebolla.
Allium cepa is the scientific name for the onion.
Word Family
Memory Tip
Imagine an onion making you cry so much that you form a 'cebolla' (onion) puddle of tears. It sounds a bit like 'cebolla' and 'cebollar' (to onion-ize).
Panorama general
La cebolla es una planta herbácea bienal que pertenece a la familia de las amarilidáceas. Es conocida principalmente por su bulbo, que es la parte que consumimos. Existen diversas variedades, siendo las más comunes la cebolla blanca, la amarilla y la morada. 2) Patrones de uso: Se utiliza tanto cruda como cocinada. Cuando se corta, libera compuestos azufrados que a menudo provocan lagrimeo en los ojos. Es un pilar fundamental en la cocina, formando parte del 'sofrito' junto con el ajo y el tomate. 3) Contextos comunes: En el ámbito culinario, es casi imposible imaginar una ensalada, un guiso, una sopa o una salsa que no incluya cebolla. También es común verla en preparaciones rápidas como hamburguesas, tacos o hot dogs. 4) Comparación: A diferencia del ajo, que se usa en pequeñas cantidades por su intensidad, la cebolla se consume en mayores volúmenes y aporta textura además de sabor.
Usage Notes
The word 'cebolla' is neutral and used in all registers. It is a feminine noun, so use 'la' or 'una'. In some regions, 'cebollino' is used for green onions or scallions.
Common Mistakes
Beginners sometimes confuse 'cebolla' with 'cebollino'. Also, remember that it is a feminine noun, so say 'la cebolla' instead of 'el cebolla'.
Memory Tip
Imagine an onion making you cry so much that you form a 'cebolla' (onion) puddle of tears. It sounds a bit like 'cebolla' and 'cebollar' (to onion-ize).
Word Origin
The word comes from the Latin 'caepe' or 'cepa'. It has been used since Roman times to describe this specific bulbous vegetable.
Cultural Context
The onion is essential in Spanish and Latin American cuisine. It is often the first ingredient added to a pan to start a meal, known as the base of the 'sofrito'.
Examples
Voy a picar una cebolla para el guiso.
everydayI am going to chop an onion for the stew.
La receta requiere cebolla finamente picada.
formalThe recipe requires finely chopped onion.
¡No le pongas tanta cebolla a mi taco!
informalDon't put so much onion on my taco!
Allium cepa es el nombre científico de la cebolla.
academicAllium cepa is the scientific name for the onion.
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
Estar de mala cebolla
To be in a bad mood (regional slang)
Carne encebollada
Meat cooked with onions
Often Confused With
Cebollino refers to chives, which are a different plant often used as an herb, while cebolla is the bulb vegetable.
Grammar Patterns
Chill it to stop the tears
Put the onion in the fridge for 30 minutes before cutting. This slows down the chemical reaction that causes eye irritation.
Don't feed to pets
Onions are toxic to dogs and cats. Avoid feeding them any food containing onions or garlic.
The foundation of Spanish cooking
In Spain, the 'sofrito' base of onion, garlic, and tomato is the heart of almost every traditional stew.
Test Yourself
Completa la frase con la palabra correcta.
Para hacer la ensalada, necesito cortar una ___.
La cebolla es un ingrediente típico de las ensaladas.
Elige la opción correcta.
¿Qué color de cebolla es más común en ensaladas crudas?
La cebolla morada es apreciada por su sabor más dulce y su color atractivo.
Ordena la oración.
pica / la / cebolla / mamá / la
Sujeto + verbo + objeto directo.
Score: /3
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questionsAl cortar la cebolla se rompen sus células y se liberan enzimas que producen un gas irritante. Este gas, al entrar en contacto con la humedad de los ojos, forma ácido sulfúrico, lo que provoca la producción de lágrimas.
La cebolla blanca es más picante y crujiente, ideal para cocinar. La morada es más suave y dulce, por lo que se prefiere para comer cruda en ensaladas o curtida.
El plural es 'cebollas'. Se utiliza igual que en singular, añadiendo una 's' al final.
La cebolla se clasifica técnicamente como una hortaliza, ya que se cultiva en huertos y es una planta comestible. En el lenguaje cotidiano, solemos llamarla verdura.
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