Are there two words for avocado?
I learned that avocado was aguacate, and I know that is one correct way; but the flashcards said "la palta" which I had not heard before. Is there some difference in usage. Or did I just think the photo was an avocado and it was actually an crinkley olive or something?
6 Answers
Our dictionary gives both answers - I've also read that in Peru and Bolivia they use la palta.
At least for me, I have heard aguacate used more in the US. It is the only word I've heard used when I was in Latin America. Although I have never been to Peru or Bolivia.
Because this is probably one of my favorite foods, I pay special attention to it. 
from a wikipedia article:
Palta is also a name for avocado in Peru, Bolivia, Chile, Uruguay and Argentina.
Moe, I am seeing both words come up. This sometimes means they are synonyms, but sometimes it means one is those big avocados, the other is the smaller dark avocados, or maybe I should use el aquacate in Mexico and la palta in Bolivia (which seems to be the case.) When I am confused or unsure what the dictionary. translator and lessons are saying, I come here to clear it up.
I appreciate if you are confused and maybe you don't know what I am asking and why; but I do want to assure you I do not use the forum as a translator. Real live people give me much better advice on word usage than the machine.
And it's a small detail but I am learning these words now, so I want to learn the right way first or I will never get it straight. I am glad I asked, because I have gotten the insight I seek and am comfortable sticking with el aguacate for the time being as I am trying to focus on Spanish as used in Mexico for now. (although after this discussion, I will probably remember both "el aguacate" AND "la palta" better than most words!
I looked in two dictionaries and they include "palta" as avocado, so you're not mistaken. Maybe it's a regional use?
I've always heard "aguacate."
kittybrougham
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