Spanish word

paladar

Pronunciation

IPA/palaˈðaɾ/

Meaning

  • masculine nountaste

Example

Mi paladar no soporta la comida muy salada.

My sense of taste can't tolerate very salty food.

Illustration for paladar (taste)

More examples

Estoy probando cafés para desarrollar el paladar.

I'm sampling coffees to develop my palate.

Core concept

Upper interior of the mouth that helps perceive flavors and by extension a person's food preferences.

Common phrases

  • desarrollar el paladar

    develop one's palate

  • paladar exigente

    discerning palate

Similar words

sabor: Flavor quality perceived in food and drink.
gusto: Feeling of liking or preference for something.

Definition in Spanish

Parte superior interna de la boca que contribuye a la percepción del sabor; por extensión, conjunto de preferencias hacia ciertos sabores.

Word origin

Spanish paladar comes from Latin palatum 'palate', originally referring to the anatomical roof of the mouth and later extended to mean the sense of taste and an individual's food preferences.

Usage tips

  • When referring to preferences, speakers often add verbs like me gusta or prefiero to make clear that paladar means taste rather than the physical organ.

Other meanings

  • palatenoun

Word lists with this word