Spanish word

haba

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈaβa/

Meaning

  • feminine nounbroad bean

Example

¿Quieres probar estas habas?

Do you want to try these broad beans?

Illustration for haba (broad bean)

More examples

En primavera se venden habas muy tiernas.

Very tender broad beans are sold in the spring.

Core concept

A large, flat green bean seed (fava) removed from its pod.

Common phrases

  • comer habas

    eat broad beans

  • habas con jamón

    broad beans with ham

  • ensalada de habas

    broad-bean salad

Similar words

judía: Thin, elongated bean from long pods, picked and eaten while tender.
alubia: Creamy white or red bean typically dried and slow-cooked until soft.
frijol: Common dried bean in Central and South American cooking, served whole or mashed.
guisante: Tiny, round sweet green pea found inside small pods and eaten as a vegetable.

Definition in Spanish

Semilla ancha y plana de la planta Vicia faba, comestible y empleada en la cocina tanto fresca como seca.

Word origin

From Latin faba meaning 'bean', with an early weakening of initial f to h in Spanish so Latin faba became Spanish haba, related to Italian fava and French fève.

Usage tips

  • The h is silent so haba sounds like 'aba', the noun is feminine (la/las), and cooks and markets usually refer to them in the plural, so remember adjective agreement with las habas.

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