Spanish word

anchoa

Pronunciation

IPA/anˈtʃoa/

Meaning

  • feminine nounanchovy

Example

No quiero anchoas en mi ensalada.

I don't want anchovies in my salad.

Illustration for anchoa (anchovy)

More examples

Preparé una salsa de anchoas para la pasta.

I prepared an anchovy sauce for the pasta.

Core concept

Salted or oil-cured fillet of a small anchovy.

Common phrases

  • ensalada con anchoas

    anchovy salad

  • pasta de anchoas

    anchovy paste

Similar words

boquerón: Fresh anchovy fillet marinated in vinegar for a clean, tangy, delicate taste.
sardina: Relatively small oily fish usually grilled or canned and served as a main or in salads.

Definition in Spanish

Pez pequeño del género Engraulis o su preparación en salazón que, según la región, puede diferenciarse de boquerón cuando se trata de ejemplares en vinagre.

Word origin

The Spanish word comes from Middle French anchois and is cognate with English anchovy, and it commonly denotes the salt- or oil-preserved fillet used in conservas.

Usage tips

  • In Spain, shop or tin labels such as 'filetes de anchoa' or 'anchoas en aceite' usually indicate the intense preserved fillets, while 'boquerones en vinagre' names the milder vinegar-cured version.

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