Merienda — Spanish afternoon snack

merienda

Merienda is the Spanish afternoon snack, about 5 PM, between lunch and dinner.

Core vocabulary of the article. Do not confuse with cena (dinner) or almuerzo (lunch).

Merienda frequently appears on Spanish menus and in conversations about Spanish culture.

Bocadillo — Spanish sandwich

bocadillo

Bocadillo is a traditional Spanish sandwich made with crusty bread.

Bocadillo = sandwich made with Spanish crusty bread. Often filled with ham, cheese, or chocolate.

A typical merienda food. Popular variant: bocadillo de jamón (ham sandwich).

Tarde — afternoon/evening

tarde

Tarde means the time after noon until sunset; the afternoon/evening.

Tarde can be a noun (afternoon) or adverb (late). Compare: Es tarde (it is late) vs. por la tarde (in the afternoon).

Key word for schedule: por la tarde = in the afternoon/evening.

Coffee with milk

café con leche

Café con leche is a popular drink at merienda in Spain.

Café con leche = coffee + milk in equal parts. Often drunk with dessert.

A popular merienda drink. Un café con leche y un trozo de pastel is a typical order.

Olive oil

aceite de oliva

Aceite de oliva is olive oil — a staple of Spanish and Mediterranean cuisine.

Aceite de oliva = oil from olives. Spaniards love it on bread as a snack.

A staple of Spanish cuisine. Un poco de aceite de oliva en el pan is a typical flavor.

Fruit

fruta

Fruta means fruit — a healthy merienda choice.

Fruta = fruit. In spring: strawberries; in autumn: apples or pears. Light and full of vitamins.

Useful for talking about healthy eating. La fruta es una merienda saludable.