what is the difference between a "platano" and a "banana"

Question

i was trying to decide between the two for a spanish cooking project but i heard they were not the same

Pleaser remember that correct spelling and capitalization are mandatory on this site, welcome to the forum:) - 00494d19, Apr 5, 2011

Answer 1

Some speakers differentiate between different species of bananas with these two terms, but for other people they mean the same. Personally, I can't tell the difference, and I don't use "banana" myself.

In any case, "plátano" is a Greek word, while "banana" is a term from the Niger-Congo language family (probably Wolof). English borrowed the term "banana" from Spanish.

¿Y cómo distingues entre las que se cocinan y las que se comen crudas, las chiquititas, las gordas y moradas, las medianas dulces, etc, etc? :-) - Gekkosan, Apr 5, 2011

No las distingo. No soy un experto en plátanos. Cuando las cocino los llamos plátanos cocinados y cuando son pequeños los llamo platanitos. - lazarus1907, Apr 5, 2011

Je, je. Claro que todo depende de qué tan importante es el banano en la cultura de cada quién. ¿Recuerdas cuántas palabras distintas para la nieve es que tienen los Inuit? - Gekkosan, Apr 5, 2011

Sí, pero he leído un artículo serio sobre el idioma, y parece ser que es un mito callejero. A ver si te encuentro un enlace, porque es muy curioso. - lazarus1907, Apr 5, 2011

Answer 2

The diference between a banana and a platano, the first one is smaller and softer while the platano is all the time bigger, thicker and harder than a banana.

Welcome to the forum, :) - 00494d19, Apr 5, 2011

Answer 3

Hello 02, welcome to the Forum.

Please note that at the top of the Answers section there is a search box. I invite you to please do a search for "platano banana", and you will get lots of answers to your question, which is a fairly common one.

Answer 4

The diference between a banana and a platano, the first one is smaller and softer while the platano is all the time bigger, thicker and harder than a banana.

Wow, here in Spain it is exactly the opposite

That.... That could mean something else...... - Vince_Peña, Apr 5, 2011

Answer 5

For that which we consider a "regular banana," in some countries of the Americas "Plátano" is used. In Honduras, "Guineo" is used. In some Caribbean countries "Banana" is used.

In some countries where "Plátano" is not used as a "regular banana," it refers to the large "Plantines" that have a dark, almost black skin and are used exclusively for cooking.

And there are probably other names as well, however, my banana expertise is quite limited.

Bueno, los Plátanos (de cocinar) comienzan verdes, luego se tornan amarillos, y finalmente terminan casi negros. En cada estado de madurez se pueden cocinar - mientras más maduros, más blandos y dulces. - Gekkosan, Apr 5, 2011

Cuando están verdes, se pueden hervir, o se pueden freír y se comen con sal - "tostones". También se puede hacer masa con ellos. - Gekkosan, Apr 5, 2011