Spanish word

tostar

Pronunciation

IPA/tosˈtaɾ/

Meaning

  • verbtoast

Example

¿Quieres tostar el pan?

Do you want to toast the bread?

Illustration for tostar (toast)

More examples

¿Puedes tostar el pan un poco más?

Can you toast the bread a little more?

Core concept

Quick surface browning and drying of bread or grains by direct heat.

Common phrases

  • tostar el pan

    toast the bread

  • tostar por ambos lados

    toast on both sides

Similar words

asar: Food cooks slowly over direct fire or in the oven until heated through and browned.
hornear: Dough or batter bakes in an oven for a long time until the interior is fully cooked.
freír: Food fries in hot oil so the exterior becomes crisp and richly flavored.
dorar: Surface takes on a light golden brown from brief exposure to heat.

Definition in Spanish

Exponer brevemente un alimento a calor directo para dorarlo, secarlo y resaltar su sabor, acción habitual con pan y granos.

Word origin

It comes from Latin torrēre 'to parch' via Vulgar Latin *tostare and is cognate with Italian tostare and Portuguese tostar.

Usage tips

  • Tostar normally signals a quick, flavor-focused browning for bread, nuts, or coffee beans, while asar or cocinar imply longer, thorough cooking.

Other meanings

  • brownverb
  • roastverb

Opposites

  • humedecermoistenverb

Related words

  • tostadotoastedadjective
  • tostadortoasternoun

Word lists with this word