Spanish word

canela

Pronunciation

IPA/kaˈnela/

Meaning

  • feminine nouncinnamon

Example

Me encanta la canela en los postres.

I love cinnamon in desserts.

Illustration for canela (cinnamon)

More examples

El aroma a canela llena la cocina.

The aroma of cinnamon fills the kitchen.

Core concept

A fragrant brown seasoning made from the dried, rolled bark of certain trees.

Common phrases

  • postres con canela

    desserts with cinnamon

  • rollo de canela

    cinnamon roll

  • sabor a canela

    cinnamon flavor

Similar words

especia: Dried plant-based spice used to season and scent cooking and beverages.
canela molida: Finely ground cinnamon powder for baking, topping, or mixing into drinks.

Definition in Spanish

Es la corteza seca de ciertos árboles que se presenta en varitas o molida y que aporta aroma y sabor dulce a platos y bebidas.

Word origin

Borrowed into Spanish via Latin cannella 'little tube', a diminutive of caña 'reed', the term refers to the bark's rolled, tubular shape.

Usage tips

  • Shops and recipes may label varieties as canela de Ceilán (Ceylon) or canela china, and canela en rama is commonly used for infusing liquids while canela molida is usual for baking.

Other meanings

  • tannoun
  • light brownnoun

Word lists with this word