Is banana "platano" in Spanish?

Question

I was talking to my colombian friend bout that I was learning spanish and Isaid to her, Oh you are eating a platano and she said, "no, esto es un banano". She said that platano is a plantain, it is very different from the banano, you have to fry the platano to eat it. So, for colombians banana is 'banano" not "platano".

You must say banana in the title - RicardoP, NOV 3, 2009

Answer 1

I am also a Colombian and she is wright, we call the banana, "banano" and the "plátano" is different. In Mexico they call "plátano" to the banana. So if you are in Mexico and want a banana you have to ask for a "plátano', but if you are in Colombia you better ask for a 'banano".

Answer 2

And in Venezuela the bananas eaten raw are frequently called "cambur/cambures"!!

This is what makes Spanish so exciting...there is always something to learn!

Answer 3

just a curiosity, The platano (platano macho, the Mexican name for the platain...go figure....(sorry Moe about the dots) can be eaten rawand some people find it delicious..

Answer 4

We have several previous threads on this topic if you care to read them.

one of several

Answer 5

In Spain, yes it is.