Spanish word

ñame

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈɲame/

Meaning

  • masculine nounyam

Example

¿Quieres probar ñame frito?

Do you want to try fried yam?

Illustration for ñame (yam)

More examples

Comimos puré de ñame en la cena.

We ate yam puree for dinner.

Core concept

Large starchy tuber with rough brown skin and white starchy flesh.

Common phrases

  • ñame frito

    fried yam

  • puré de ñame

    yam puree

  • harina de ñame

    yam flour

Similar words

papa: Common round starchy tuber with thin skin and creamy white or yellow flesh, often boiled or mashed.
yuca: Elongated hard root with thick brown skin and firm white flesh, usually peeled then fried or boiled.
batata: Sweet tuber with smooth skin and soft orange or pale flesh, usually roasted or steamed.

Definition in Spanish

Tubérculo comestible perteneciente a varias especies de Dioscorea, de textura almidonosa y valor alimenticio en las cocinas tropicales.

Word origin

Borrowed from Portuguese inhame, which reflects West African names for the Dioscorea tuber brought into Europe and the Americas during early Atlantic trade.

Usage tips

  • Mainly used in Caribbean and some Latin American cuisines and less familiar in peninsular Spanish, and it refers to a Dioscorea tuber distinct from yuca (cassava) and batata (sweet potato).

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