Spanish word

yerba

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈʝeɾβa/

Meaning

  • feminine nounherb

Example

Uso yerba en la cocina.

I use herbs in the kitchen.

Illustration for yerba (herb)

More examples

Preparé té con yerba mate para los invitados.

I made tea with yerba mate for the guests.

Core concept

Leafy plant used to flavor or give therapeutic properties to foods and drinks.

Common phrases

  • yerba mate

    yerba mate

  • yerba medicinal

    medicinal herb

  • yerba aromática

    aromatic herb

Similar words

hierba: Plant with leaves or stems used in cooking or as a herbal remedy.
mate: Dried leaves brewed to make the traditional South American mate infusion.
té: Beverage made by steeping tea leaves in hot water.
especia: Dried seeds, bark, or roots used to add concentrated flavor to dishes.

Definition in Spanish

Planta de hoja que se emplea para dar sabor o propiedades terapéuticas a alimentos y bebidas.

Word origin

From Latin herba 'grass, herb' via Old Spanish hierba, with the historical hi- to ye- sound change and silent h in many dialects producing the form yerba.

Usage tips

  • In Spain speakers normally say hierba, while yerba is common in much of Latin America and appears as the fixed name yerba mate for the mate leaves.

Other meanings

  • grassnoun

Related words

  • yerbáceoherbaceousadjective
  • yerbateroherbalistnoun

Word lists with this word