How does one differentiate between cracker, biscuit, and cookie?
How do Spanish speaking people differentiate between cake and pie? I noticed that the word for both cake and pie is pastel. What if somebody says "Quiero pastel por favor," and they want pie, but instead they get cake? Furthermore, I noticed that the Spanish word for cookie, cracker, and biscuit is galleta. So, what if I want a cracker, and instead I get a cookie? Are there any useful synonyms for some of these words? Finally, why do Spanish speaking people refer to three different words such as cookie, biscuit, and cracker as galleta? I do know that words mean different things in certain countries. For example, usually when one thinks of a tortilla, they think of the flour tortillas that come with their fajitas. But if you ask for a tortilla in Spain, they will give you a wedge of potato omelet.
4 Answers
Hi Paul!
Yes, we call them just galletas, and I assure I can perfectly live without such a differenciation. 
We just say:
Quiero una galleta de esas.
Tarta o coca is also cake.
Galleta is biscuit
Galleta salada is cracker
And cookie well. I have heard that same word used. but I suppose a cookie is a biscuit anyway hahaha
Unfortunately, food does not translate very well. Not only from language to language, but from region to region. I work in a place with Spanish speakers from 5 different countries and they rarely agree on what certain types of foods are called. What is a biscuit in the U.K.? It is a cookie. In the U.S.? It is a delicious type of bread. Even a southerner from the U.S. might call a biscuit from the North something other than a biscuit. Pie is also very American. If you ask for pie anywhere in Europe, you will get many different answers as to what it is. It usually ends up being something that you would not define as pie. Just a thought.
- @Beatrice-Codder Thanks! I figured it was something like that jaja. I appreciate the feedback.
- @dewclaw ¡Muchas gracias!
