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degustación

B1 noun #7,000 most common 11 min read

degustación

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Practice it Examples Notes & Tips degustación in 30 Seconds

Explanation degustación in your Level:

At the A1 level, you don't need to use 'degustación' in complex sentences. Just think of it as a fancy way to say 'tasting food.' You might see this word on signs in a supermarket or at a food market. If you see 'Degustación Gratis,' it means you can try a small piece of food for free! You can use it simply: 'Me gusta la degustación de queso' (I like the cheese tasting). Focus on recognizing the word when you go shopping or visit a restaurant. It is a feminine word, so always use 'la' or 'una'. It comes from the verb 'gustar' (to like), which you already know, so it is easy to remember it has something to do with things you like to eat!

At the A2 level, you can start using 'degustación' to describe simple events. You might talk about your weekend: 'El sábado fui a una degustación de vinos' (On Saturday I went to a wine tasting). You should know that 'degustación' is a noun. If you want to use the verb, you use 'degustar' or 'probar'. In many Spanish-speaking countries, food is a very important part of culture. Knowing this word helps you participate in social life. When you go to a restaurant, you might see a 'menú degustación'. This is a special menu with many small plates. It's a great way to try different things! Remember the plural is 'degustaciones' (no accent on the 'o').

At the B1 level, 'degustación' becomes a key word for discussing gastronomy and travel. You should be able to distinguish between a 'degustación' (a general tasting for pleasure) and a 'cata' (a more technical tasting, usually for wine). You will use it in more complex structures, like 'Estamos organizando una degustación para promocionar los productos locales' (We are organizing a tasting to promote local products). You should also be familiar with the 'menú degustación' concept in modern restaurants. At this level, you are expected to understand that this word implies a certain level of quality and appreciation, rather than just eating because you are hungry. It is about the sensory experience.

At the B2 level, you should use 'degustación' with precision in professional or semi-formal contexts. You might discuss the 'notas de cata' (tasting notes) during a 'degustación'. You can use the word to talk about the tourism industry, specifically 'turismo gastronómico'. For example: 'La región ha visto un incremento en las degustaciones dirigidas a turistas internacionales.' You should also be comfortable using the word in the passive voice or with pronominal verbs: 'Se llevará a cabo una degustación de aceites premiados.' At this level, you understand the nuances of the word and how it contributes to a sophisticated description of a culinary event, including the visual, olfactory, and gustatory aspects.

At the C1 level, 'degustación' is a tool for nuanced expression. You can use it in metaphorical contexts or in highly technical gastronomic critiques. You might write about the 'degustación de la vida' (savoring life) or use it to describe the analytical process of a critic. You should be aware of the historical and etymological roots (from Latin 'degustatio') and how it relates to other words in the 'gustar' family. Your usage should reflect an understanding of the register; for instance, knowing that 'degustación' is preferred in a formal program over 'prueba'. You can also discuss the sociological aspects of 'degustaciones' as a form of cultural capital in modern society.

At the C2 level, you possess a near-native command of 'degustación'. You can use it in academic papers about food science, in high-level literary translations, or in complex business negotiations within the food and beverage industry. You understand how the word interacts with regionalisms across the Spanish-speaking world. You can effortlessly switch between 'degustación', 'cata', 'libación', and 'muestreo' depending on the exact nuance required. You might analyze how a 'menú degustación' reflects a chef's 'lenguaje culinario' (culinary language). Your use of the word is not just about the act of tasting, but about the entire cultural and philosophical framework of gastronomy.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

degustación in 30 Seconds

A formal or social event for tasting food or drinks.
A feminine noun: 'la degustación'.
Commonly used in 'menú degustación' (tasting menu).
Focuses on quality and sensory appreciation.

The Spanish word degustación is a sophisticated noun that translates primarily to 'tasting' in English. While in English we might use 'tasting' for everything from a casual sip of milk to a formal wine event, in Spanish, degustación carries an air of intentionality, appreciation, and often, professional or culinary expertise. It refers to the act of sampling food or drink specifically to evaluate its quality, flavor, texture, and aroma. It is not merely about consumption; it is about the sensory experience of the palate. You will encounter this word most frequently in gastronomic contexts, such as high-end restaurants offering a 'menú degustación' (tasting menu), or at 'bodegas' (wineries) where 'degustaciones de vino' are the main attraction.

The Culinary Context: In the world of fine dining, a degustación is a curated journey. Chefs use this format to showcase their range, presenting a sequence of small plates that tell a story or highlight specific seasonal ingredients. This is much more than a meal; it is an educational and sensory performance where the diner is expected to pay close attention to the nuances of each bite.

La degustación de aceites de oliva nos permitió distinguir entre las variedades picual y arbequina.

Translation: The olive oil tasting allowed us to distinguish between the Picual and Arbequina varieties.

Beyond the elite world of Michelin stars, degustación is also used in marketing and retail. If you are walking through a Spanish supermarket like Mercadona or El Corte Inglés, you might see a small stand offering 'degustación gratuita' (free tasting). Here, the word is used to entice customers to try a new product, such as a specific brand of ham, cheese, or a new beverage. Even in this more casual setting, the word implies a focus on flavor. It suggests that the product is worth savoring, rather than just being a free snack.

Professional Use: For sommeliers and food critics, degustación is a technical process. It involves specific steps: visual inspection (vista), olfaction (olfato), and finally, the actual tasting (gusto). When used in this professional sense, the word is synonymous with 'cata', although 'cata' is more strictly used for liquids like wine, water, or oil, while degustación covers both solids and liquids.

El sumiller organizó una degustación a ciegas para entrenar el paladar de los estudiantes.

Translation: The sommelier organized a blind tasting to train the students' palates.

In summary, use degustación when you want to emphasize the quality, the process of savoring, or the formal event of trying food and drinks. It is a word that celebrates the senses and the cultural importance of gastronomy in the Spanish-speaking world. Whether you are at a festival, a winery, or a high-end restaurant, this word will be your gateway to understanding the deep appreciation for food that defines many Hispanic cultures.

Using degustación correctly requires understanding its role as a feminine noun. It is almost always preceded by the definite article 'la' or the indefinite article 'una'. Because it is a noun of action, it often follows verbs like 'hacer' (to do/make), 'ofrecer' (to offer), 'organizar' (to organize), or 'asistir a' (to attend). In a sentence, it often functions as the head of a prepositional phrase, usually followed by 'de' to specify what is being tasted.

Common Verb Pairings: The most common way to use it is with 'ofrecer'. For example: 'El restaurante ofrece una degustación de postres.' (The restaurant offers a dessert tasting). Another common pair is 'asistir a', as in: 'Mañana asistiremos a una degustación de quesos artesanales.' (Tomorrow we will attend a craft cheese tasting).

¿Te gustaría participar en una degustación de chocolates ecológicos?

Translation: Would you like to participate in an organic chocolate tasting?

When describing a specific type of menu, 'degustación' acts as an adjective-like modifier in the phrase 'menú degustación'. Note that in Spanish, we don't usually say 'menú de degustación' (though it is grammatically possible), but rather 'menú degustación' as a compound noun. This is a crucial distinction for learners looking to sound natural. For example: 'Pedimos el menú degustación para probar todas las especialidades de la casa.' (We ordered the tasting menu to try all the house specialties).

Prepositional Usage: You will almost always see 'degustación' followed by the preposition 'de'. This 'de' introduces the object of the tasting. If you are tasting multiple things, the object is plural: 'degustación de vinos' (wine tasting), 'degustación de tapas' (tapas tasting). If it's a specific product, it might be singular: 'degustación de caviar'.

La sala de degustación estaba decorada con barricas de roble antiguo.

Translation: The tasting room was decorated with old oak barrels.

In more formal or academic writing, 'degustación' can be the subject of a sentence describing a sensory process. For instance: 'La degustación técnica requiere un ambiente libre de olores fuertes.' (Technical tasting requires an environment free of strong odors). This highlights that the word isn't just for fun; it's a recognized method of analysis in the food science industry.

In the daily life of a Spanish speaker, degustación is a word that bridges the gap between everyday shopping and high culture. You will hear it in various environments, each with its own tone. In a bustling marketplace (mercado), a vendor might shout, '¡Degustación gratuita de queso manchego!' to attract passersby. Here, the word sounds welcoming and generous. It is an invitation to experience the quality of the product before committing to a purchase. In this context, it is synonymous with 'prueba' (test/sample), but degustación sounds more professional and appetizing.

The Winery Experience: If you visit wine regions like La Rioja in Spain, Mendoza in Argentina, or the Maipo Valley in Chile, the word degustación will be everywhere. Signs outside 'bodegas' will list prices for 'visita y degustación'. During the tour, the guide will use the word to signal the most important part of the visit: 'Ahora pasaremos a la sala para la degustación de nuestros mejores tintos.' (Now we will move to the room for the tasting of our best reds).

Durante las fiestas del pueblo, siempre hay una degustación popular de platos típicos.

Translation: During the town festivals, there is always a public tasting of traditional dishes.

In the media, food critics and 'influencers' use the word constantly. On television cooking shows like 'MasterChef España', the judges often perform a 'degustación' of the contestants' dishes. They don't just 'eat' the food; they 'degustan' it. They analyze the balance of flavors, the temperature, and the presentation. When you hear the word in this context, pay attention to the adjectives that follow it, such as 'degustación minuciosa' (thorough tasting) or 'degustación sensorial' (sensory tasting).

Special Events and Weddings: When couples are planning a wedding, they attend a 'prueba de menú' or a 'degustación para bodas'. This is a formal event where they sit down with the catering team to taste every potential dish for their big day. It is a moment of high stakes and careful decision-making, where the word degustación represents the final quality check before a major investment.

La feria gastronómica incluyó una degustación de cervezas artesanales de toda la región.

Translation: The food fair included a tasting of craft beers from the entire region.

Finally, you will hear it in conversation among friends who are 'foodies'. Someone might say, 'Ayer hicimos una degustación de postres en casa' (Yesterday we did a dessert tasting at home). This implies a social gathering centered around food exploration. It turns a simple meal into an event, showing how the word elevates the act of eating into something more intentional and shared.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make when using degustación is confusing it with the word 'prueba' or 'sabor'. While all three relate to tasting, they are not interchangeable. 'Sabor' is the 'flavor' itself (e.g., 'el sabor es dulce'), whereas 'degustación' is the 'action' of tasting. 'Prueba' is a more general word for a 'test' or 'sample'. If you want to say you are trying a piece of cake to see if it's good, 'prueba' is fine. But if you are at a formal event, 'degustación' is the correct choice.

Gender and Number Errors: Since 'degustación' ends in '-ción', it is always feminine. Learners often mistakenly use 'el degustación' because it describes an event, which they might associate with the masculine 'el evento'. Always use 'la'. Additionally, when pluralizing to 'degustaciones', many forget to remove the accent mark. This is a common spelling error even for native speakers in casual writing.

Incorrect: El degustación fue muy largo.
Correct: La degustación fue muy larga.

Another mistake is overusing the word. While it is a great word, using it for every single time you eat something small can sound overly dramatic or pretentious. If you are just trying a grape at the market to see if it's sweet, you would say 'probar una uva' rather than 'hacer una degustación de una uva'. Save degustación for when there is a variety of things to try or when the setting is formal. It implies a structured experience.

Translation Pitfalls: English speakers often translate 'tasting' as a gerund (e.g., 'I am tasting'). In Spanish, you cannot use 'degustación' in this way. You must use the verb 'degustar'. For example, 'Estoy degustando el vino' (I am tasting the wine) vs 'La degustación del vino' (The wine tasting). Confusing the noun with the verb form is a classic B1-level error.

Incorrect: Me gusta degustación comida nueva.
Correct: Me gusta degustar comida nueva.

Finally, be careful with the word 'muestra'. A 'muestra' is a physical 'sample' (like a tiny bottle of perfume or a small piece of cheese in a wrapper). A degustación is the 'event' or 'act' of trying it. You might receive a 'muestra' during a 'degustación'. Mixing these up can lead to confusion in a retail or commercial setting.

To truly master Spanish, you need to know when to use degustación and when to choose one of its synonyms or related terms. The most common alternative is cata. While degustación is broad, cata is specialized. It comes from the verb 'catar' and is used for technical, professional evaluations of liquids. You have 'catas de vino', 'catas de aceite', and even 'catas de agua'. If you want to sound like a professional sommelier, use 'cata'.

Degustación vs. Cata

Degustación: General, applies to food and drink, emphasizes enjoyment and sampling.
Cata: Specific, usually for liquids, emphasizes technical analysis and professional judgment.

A diferencia de una degustación informal, una cata técnica requiere silencio y concentración.

Translation: Unlike an informal tasting, a technical tasting requires silence and concentration.

Another related word is prueba. This is the most versatile word. It can mean a 'test', an 'exam', a 'trial', or a 'sample'. In a culinary context, 'una prueba' is just a quick taste to check if something is salty or cooked. It lacks the ritualistic and appreciative connotations of degustación. If a chef asks you to 'probar' the soup, they want to know if it needs more salt. If they invite you to a 'degustación', they want you to admire the dish.

Lesser-Known Alternatives

Muestreo: Used in marketing/business for the distribution of samples.
Saboreo: The act of lingering on a flavor (from the verb 'saborear' - to savor).
Pica-pica: A very informal Spanish term for a variety of small snacks, often served at a party.

El saboreo lento de un buen café es un placer matutino inigualable.

Translation: The slow savoring of a good coffee is an incomparable morning pleasure.

Choosing between these words depends on your 'registro' (register). Use degustación for events and menus. Use cata for wine and technical analysis. Use prueba for everyday kitchen checks. Use muestreo for business and marketing. By varying your vocabulary, you demonstrate a higher level of fluency and cultural awareness.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The root 'gustus' is also the source of the English word 'gusto', which we use to mean 'enthusiasm', but in Spanish, it remains strictly tied to 'taste'.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /de.ɣus.taˈθjon/

US /de.ɣus.taˈsjon/

Last syllable (oxytone/aguda).

Rhymes With

canción pasión atención corazón estación nación lección acción

Common Errors

Placing stress on the 'ta' instead of the 'ción'.
Pronouncing the 'g' too harshly like a 'j'.
Forgetting the 'n' sound at the end.
Pronouncing 'ción' as 'shun' (English style).
Failing to pronounce the 'u' clearly.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize due to the '-ción' suffix and English cognate 'degustation'.

Writing 3/5

Requires remembering the accent on the 'o' and removing it in the plural.

Speaking 3/5

Requires correct stress on the final syllable.

Listening 2/5

Clear pronunciation in most dialects.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

gustar comer beber vino queso

Learn Next

maridaje sommelier gastronomía organoléptico añada

Advanced

olfato retrogusto taninos cuerpo textura

Grammar to Know

Nouns ending in -ción are always feminine.

La canción, la degustación, la ración.

The accent mark on -ción is dropped in the plural.

Degustación -> Degustaciones.

Compound nouns usually don't use 'de' if the second word acts as an adjective.

Menú degustación (not menú de degustación).

Preposition 'de' is used to show the material or content.

Degustación de aceites.

Verbs of participation take 'en'.

Participar en una degustación.

Examples by Level

Hay una degustación de pan.

There is a bread tasting.

Simple present with 'hay' (there is).

La degustación es gratis.

The tasting is free.

Use of 'es' with an adjective.

Me gusta la degustación.

I like the tasting.

Verb 'gustar' with a feminine singular noun.

Es una degustación de chocolate.

It is a chocolate tasting.

Preposition 'de' showing the object of the tasting.

¿Quieres una degustación?

Do you want a tasting?

Question using 'querer'.

La degustación de queso es buena.

The cheese tasting is good.

Adjective agreement with 'la degustación'.

Mañana hay una degustación.

Tomorrow there is a tasting.

Adverb of time 'mañana'.

Gracias por la degustación.

Thanks for the tasting.

Preposition 'por' used for gratitude.

Fuimos a una degustación de vinos el sábado.

We went to a wine tasting on Saturday.

Preterite tense of 'ir'.

El supermercado ofrece una degustación de fruta.

The supermarket offers a fruit tasting.

Third person singular present tense.

No me gustó la degustación de café.

I didn't like the coffee tasting.

Negative 'gustar' in the preterite.

Hicieron una degustación para los clientes.

They did a tasting for the customers.

Preterite of 'hacer'.

La degustación de jamón fue fantástica.

The ham tasting was fantastic.

Preterite of 'ser' with an adjective.

¿A qué hora empieza la degustación?

What time does the tasting start?

Question about time using 'empezar'.

Quiero comprar los vinos de la degustación.

I want to buy the wines from the tasting.

Infinitive 'comprar' after 'quiero'.

Hay muchas degustaciones en la feria.

There are many tastings at the fair.

Plural form 'degustaciones' with 'muchas'.

El menú degustación incluye diez platos diferentes.

The tasting menu includes ten different dishes.

Compound noun 'menú degustación'.

Asistimos a una degustación guiada por un experto.

We attended a tasting guided by an expert.

Past participle 'guiada' as an adjective.

La degustación de aceites se realiza en copas azules.

The oil tasting is performed in blue glasses.

Passive 'se' construction.

Es necesario reservar para la degustación de mañana.

It is necessary to book for tomorrow's tasting.

Impersonal expression 'es necesario'.

La degustación nos permitió conocer nuevos sabores.

The tasting allowed us to discover new flavors.

Indirect object pronoun 'nos' with 'permitió'.

Me gustaría organizar una degustación en mi casa.

I would like to organize a tasting at my house.

Conditional 'me gustaría'.

Durante la degustación, no se debe usar perfume fuerte.

During the tasting, one should not use strong perfume.

Modal verb 'deber' with passive 'se'.

La degustación a ciegas es un reto para el paladar.

Blind tasting is a challenge for the palate.

Prepositional phrase 'a ciegas' (blindly).

La bodega ofrece una degustación maridada con productos locales.

The winery offers a tasting paired with local products.

Adjective 'maridada' (paired).

Tras la degustación, los críticos escribieron sus reseñas.

After the tasting, the critics wrote their reviews.

Preposition 'tras' (after).

La degustación técnica evalúa la acidez y el cuerpo del vino.

The technical tasting evaluates the acidity and body of the wine.

Subject-verb agreement with complex objects.

No pudimos terminar la degustación porque era demasiado larga.

We couldn't finish the tasting because it was too long.

Conjunction 'porque' with 'demasiado'.

Si vas a la degustación, aprenderás mucho sobre el cacao.

If you go to the tasting, you will learn a lot about cocoa.

First conditional sentence.

La degustación fue el punto culminante del festival gastronómico.

The tasting was the highlight of the food festival.

Noun phrase 'punto culminante'.

Se recomienda una degustación pausada para apreciar los matices.

A slow tasting is recommended to appreciate the nuances.

Passive 'se' with an adjective 'pausada'.

La sala de degustación tiene una vista impresionante al viñedo.

The tasting room has an impressive view of the vineyard.

Preposition 'a' showing direction of the view.

La degustación organoléptica es fundamental en el control de calidad.

Organoleptic tasting is fundamental in quality control.

Advanced adjective 'organoléptica'.

A pesar de la minuciosa degustación, no detectaron el defecto.

Despite the thorough tasting, they did not detect the defect.

Concession phrase 'a pesar de'.

La degustación vertical permite comparar diferentes añadas del mismo vino.

A vertical tasting allows for comparing different vintages of the same wine.

Technical term 'degustación vertical'.

El chef diseñó una degustación que evoca recuerdos de la infancia.

The chef designed a tasting that evokes childhood memories.

Relative clause with 'que evoca'.

La degustación se convirtió en un debate sobre la sostenibilidad.

The tasting turned into a debate about sustainability.

Pronominal verb 'convertirse en'.

Cada etapa de la degustación fue maridada con una música específica.

Each stage of the tasting was paired with specific music.

Passive voice with 'fue maridada'.

La degustación de productos gourmet atrajo a una gran multitud.

The tasting of gourmet products attracted a large crowd.

Preterite of 'atraer'.

No hay nada como una degustación al aire libre en primavera.

There is nothing like an outdoor tasting in spring.

Idiomatic expression 'no hay nada como'.

La degustación trascendió lo meramente culinario para volverse arte.

The tasting transcended the merely culinary to become art.

Use of 'lo' + adverb/adjective for abstraction.

Se requiere una degustación exhaustiva antes de emitir un veredicto.

An exhaustive tasting is required before issuing a verdict.

Subjunctive or infinitive after 'antes de'.

La degustación puso de manifiesto la complejidad del terruño.

The tasting revealed the complexity of the terroir.

Idiomatic expression 'poner de manifiesto'.

La agudeza sensorial es clave para una degustación profesional.

Sensory sharpness is key for a professional tasting.

Abstract noun 'agudeza'.

La degustación fue orquestada con una precisión casi quirúrgica.

The tasting was orchestrated with almost surgical precision.

Metaphorical use of 'orquestada' and 'quirúrgica'.

Tras años de práctica, su capacidad de degustación es infalible.

After years of practice, their tasting ability is infallible.

Possessive 'su' referring to ability.

La degustación de café de especialidad requiere protocolos estrictos.

Specialty coffee tasting requires strict protocols.

Technical term 'café de especialidad'.

La degustación se dilató debido a las apasionadas explicaciones del enólogo.

The tasting was prolonged due to the winemaker's passionate explanations.

Verb 'dilatarse' (to be prolonged).

Common Collocations

menú degustación

degustación de vinos

degustación gratuita

sala de degustación

degustación a ciegas

degustación guiada

degustación de quesos

degustación técnica

degustación popular

hacer una degustación

Common Phrases

degustación de cortesía

— A complimentary tasting offered by a business.

Nos dieron una degustación de cortesía al llegar.

degustación de productos

— A general tasting event for various goods.

La feria tiene una gran degustación de productos regionales.

degustación vertical

— A wine tasting of different years of the same label.

La degustación vertical mostró la evolución del clima.

degustación horizontal

— A wine tasting of different labels from the same year.

Hicimos una degustación horizontal de la cosecha 2015.

degustación sensorial

— A tasting focused on all the senses.

Fue una degustación sensorial en completa oscuridad.

punto de degustación

— A specific location where tastings are held.

Busca el punto de degustación en el pasillo cuatro.

degustación para novios

— A wedding menu tasting for the couple.

Mañana tenemos la degustación para novios en el hotel.

degustación de temporada

— A tasting featuring seasonal ingredients.

No te pierdas la degustación de temporada de setas.

degustación de autor

— A tasting featuring a chef's unique creations.

Es una degustación de autor con platos vanguardistas.

degustación privada

— An exclusive tasting event for a small group.

Reservamos una degustación privada en la cava.

Often Confused With

degustación vs disgusto

A false friend! 'Disgusto' means 'unpleasantness' or 'upset', not a bad taste.

degustación vs digestión

Sounds similar but refers to the biological process of digesting food.

degustación vs decoración

Only similar in ending; refers to decoration.

Idioms & Expressions

"quedarse con la miel en los labios"

— To be left wanting more after a small taste.

La degustación fue tan corta que me quedé con la miel en los labios.

Informal

"para todos los gustos"

— Something for everyone.

En la degustación había platos para todos los gustos.

General

"dar en el gusto"

— To please someone's taste exactly.

Con esta degustación me has dado en el gusto.

General

"sobre gustos no hay nada escrito"

— There's no accounting for taste.

A él no le gustó la degustación, pero sobre gustos no hay nada escrito.

General

"hacer la boca agua"

— To make one's mouth water.

Solo ver la mesa de degustación me hace la boca agua.

Informal

"entrar por los ojos"

— To be visually appealing (often said of food).

La degustación entra por los ojos antes que por el paladar.

Informal

"tener buen paladar"

— To have a refined taste.

Para apreciar esta degustación hay que tener buen paladar.

General

"con mucho gusto"

— With pleasure (often used when serving).

Le sirvo la degustación con mucho gusto.

Formal

"gusto refinado"

— Refined taste.

Ella tiene un gusto refinado para las degustaciones de arte.

Formal

"probar fortuna"

— To try one's luck (metaphorical tasting).

Decidió probar fortuna organizando su propia degustación.

General

Easily Confused

degustación vs cata

Both mean tasting.

Cata is technical and mostly for liquids; degustación is broader and more for pleasure/menus.

Hice una cata de agua y una degustación de quesos.

degustación vs prueba

Both mean tasting/trying.

Prueba is a general 'test'; degustación is a formal 'event' of tasting.

Toma una prueba del caldo antes de la degustación.

degustación vs muestra

Both relate to small portions.

Muestra is the physical object (the sample); degustación is the act of trying it.

Me dieron una muestra en la degustación.

degustación vs sabor

Both relate to taste.

Sabor is the quality (flavor); degustación is the action.

La degustación nos permitió apreciar el sabor.

degustación vs deguste

Very similar spelling.

Deguste is much rarer and often sounds archaic or overly poetic.

El deguste de las carnes fue breve.

Sentence Patterns

La degustación es [adjective].

La degustación es rica.

Hay una degustación de [noun].

Hay una degustación de café.

Quiero asistir a una degustación de [noun plural].

Quiero asistir a una degustación de cervezas.

El menú degustación tiene [number] platos.

El menú degustación tiene cinco platos.

Se ofrece una degustación de [noun] para [purpose].

Se ofrece una degustación de aceite para los turistas.

Tras la degustación, [clause].

Tras la degustación, compramos tres botellas.

La degustación puso de relieve [noun phrase].

La degustación puso de relieve la calidad del grano.

De no ser por la degustación, no habríamos [verb].

De no ser por la degustación, no habríamos apreciado el matiz.

Word Family

Nouns

gusto

degustador

degustadora

degustaciones

Verbs

degustar

gustar

saborear

Adjectives

gustativo

degustado

gustoso

paladar

sabor

aroma

textura

maridaje

How to Use It

frequency

Common in culinary, tourism, and marketing contexts.

Common Mistakes

El degustación → La degustación
Nouns ending in -ción are feminine. Using 'el' is a gender error.
Degustaciónes → Degustaciones
The plural form does not need an accent because the stress is on the penultimate syllable naturally.
Me gusta degustación de vino. → Me gusta la degustación de vino.
In Spanish, abstract or specific nouns often require the definite article.
Cata de carne → Degustación de carne
'Cata' is generally reserved for liquids. For meat, 'degustación' is much better.
Menú de degustación → Menú degustación
While 'de' is possible, the compound form without 'de' is the standard culinary term.

Tips

Pair with 'Maridaje'

Whenever you talk about a 'degustación', mention the 'maridaje' (pairing). It makes you sound like a pro!

Plural Spelling

Remember: one degustación, many degustaciones. The accent disappears like magic!

Don't be shy

In Spanish markets, if you see a sign for 'degustación', it's an invitation. Go ahead and try it!

Stress the End

Always punch the last syllable. DE-GUS-TA-CIÓN. It gives the word the elegance it deserves.

Menú Degustación

Use this phrase when you want a high-end dining experience. It's the standard term in luxury restaurants.

Technical vs. Social

Use 'cata' for a technical lab setting and 'degustación' for a social or restaurant setting.

Avoid Placeholder 'Prueba'

In formal writing, replace 'prueba de comida' with 'degustación'. It sounds much more professional.

Listen for the Preposition

It's almost always 'degustación de'. This helps you predict that a food or drink word is coming next.

Cognate Connection

Link it to 'gustar'. If you like (gustar) food, you'll love a degustación!

Invitation

Inviting someone to a 'degustación' sounds more special than just inviting them to 'probar algo'.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'DE-GUST-ATION'. 'Gust' is like 'gusto' or 'gustar' (to like). A 'degustación' is an 'action' (-ation) where you see what you 'gust' (like).

Visual Association

Imagine a tiny spoon with a single drop of honey or a small piece of cheese. That small portion is a 'degustación'.

Word Web

Cata Vino Queso Paladar Sabor Menú Chef Restaurante

Challenge

Go to a local market and ask (or imagine asking) if they have a 'degustación' of any local product.

Word Origin

From the Latin 'degustatio', which is the noun of action from the verb 'degustare'.

Original meaning: To taste, to sample, or to try a small portion.

Romance (Latin root).

Cultural Context

No specific sensitivities, but be aware that 'degustación' implies small portions; don't use it if you are inviting someone for a big, filling meal!

In English, we often just say 'tasting' (wine tasting, cheese tasting). 'Degustation' exists in English but is very rare and sounds extremely formal.

El Celler de Can Roca (famous for its 'menú degustación') The movie 'Menu' (features a dark version of a tasting menu) MasterChef España (frequent use of the term)

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

At a Winery

¿Cuánto cuesta la degustación?
¿Qué vinos incluye la degustación?
Me gustaría una degustación de tintos.
La sala de degustación es preciosa.

In a Fine Dining Restaurant

¿Tienen menú degustación?
¿Cuántos platos tiene la degustación?
¿La degustación incluye maridaje?
Es una degustación de autor.

At a Food Market

¿Hay degustación hoy?
¡Pruebe nuestra degustación gratuita!
La degustación de jamón está allí.
Gracias por la degustación.

At a Wedding Planning Session

Tenemos la degustación del menú el lunes.
¿Podemos cambiar un plato de la degustación?
La degustación fue todo un éxito.
Necesitamos confirmar la fecha de la degustación.

In a Professional Setting

La degustación técnica reveló notas frutales.
Se realizará una degustación a ciegas.
El panel de expertos terminó la degustación.
Los resultados de la degustación son positivos.

Conversation Starters

"¿Alguna vez has ido a una degustación de vinos en una bodega?"

"¿Prefieres pedir platos a la carta o un menú degustación?"

"¿Cuál ha sido la mejor degustación de comida que has probado?"

"Si pudieras organizar una degustación de cualquier cosa, ¿qué elegirías?"

"¿Crees que las degustaciones gratuitas en el súper realmente funcionan?"

Journal Prompts

Describe tu experiencia ideal en un menú degustación de un restaurante famoso.

Escribe sobre una vez que probaste algo nuevo en una degustación y te sorprendió.

¿Qué diferencias notas entre una comida normal y una degustación formal?

Imagina que eres un crítico gastronómico. Escribe una reseña de una degustación de chocolates.

¿Por qué crees que la cultura de la degustación es tan importante en los países hispanos?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, while commonly used for wine, it applies to any food or drink, like cheese, chocolate, or olive oil. For wine specifically, 'cata' is also very common.

It is a multi-course meal in a restaurant where the chef serves small portions of many different dishes to showcase their skill. It's like a 'best of' collection of the restaurant.

No, for perfume or smells, you would use 'cata de perfumes' or simply 'probar'. 'Degustación' is strictly for things you put in your mouth.

It is always 'la degustación' because nouns ending in -ción are feminine in Spanish.

You can say 'degustación de vinos' or 'cata de vinos'. Both are correct and very common.

Yes, in the singular form: 'degustación'. However, in the plural form 'degustaciones', the accent is removed.

The verb is 'degustar', which means to taste or savor something carefully.

Not necessarily. In a supermarket, it might be free ('degustación gratuita'), but in a winery or restaurant, you usually have to pay for it.

No, it specifically implies small portions intended for tasting rather than a full-sized meal to satisfy hunger.

Yes, it is very common in Spain and Latin America, especially in the context of food culture and tourism.