Spanish word

acelga

Pronunciation

IPA/aˈθelɣa/

Meaning

  • feminine nounSwiss chard

Example

Me gusta la acelga salteada con ajo.

I like Swiss chard sauteed with garlic.

Illustration for acelga (Swiss chard)

More examples

Compré acelga fresca en el mercado.

I bought fresh chard at the market.

Core concept

Broad dark green leaves with fleshy white stalks commonly sautéed or boiled.

Common phrases

  • tarta de acelga

    chard quiche

  • ensalada con acelga

    salad with chard

  • acelga fresca

    fresh chard

Similar words

espinaca: Tender, soft green leaves that wilt quickly, commonly boiled or briefly sautéed.
bleda: Green leaves with conspicuous white stems and ribs, typically cooked before eating.
lechuga: Crisp, watery leaves with mild flavor, mainly eaten raw in salads.
berza: Thick, sturdy leaves with a firm texture, commonly used in long-cooked stews and braises.

Definition in Spanish

Planta hortícola de hojas anchas y tallos carnosos que se consume como verdura, generalmente cocida o salteada.

Word origin

From Arabic al-silqa introduced into medieval Iberia, originally naming greens prepared by boiling and related to the root s-l-q 'to boil' or 'to cook'.

Usage tips

  • Acelga is not identical to spinach; chard has thicker ribs and a firmer texture and so should be translated as chard when texture or cooking method matters.

Word lists with this word