Which is correct, jalapena or jalapeno?

Question

In Texas, we use peppers a lot in cooking. I know that nouns in Spanish have gender, words ending in "o" or "e" are masculine and words ending in "a" are feminine. I see a word constantly that is the name of one type of pepper and it is spelled in two different ways. Which is correct? Jalapena or jalapeno?

Is it a male pepper or a female? ;) I'm sorry I just couldn't resist that one. - Yeser007, Dec 7, 2011

Welcome to the forum! - Yeser007, Dec 7, 2011

Answer 1

Jalapeño refers to people or things originating from the Mexican state of Xalapa (pronounced "Halapa" in English, or "Jalapa" in Spanish).

Most people are familiar with the term "jalapeño" applied to the large, relatively mild, green hot pepper. In this context the word is doubtlessly "jalapeño", not "jalapeña".

However, the word "jalapeña" is perfectly possible and adecuate when referring to any famale gender noun originating from Xalapa (María es jalapeña, esta es una artesanía jalapeña) or, as Lorenzo stated, something like "salsa jalapeña" (sauce from Xalapa).

Answer 2

"El jalapeño"'

Answer 3

Jalapeña is a word, but it doesn't mean pepper. However, I have seen jalapeña used as an adjective (salsa jalapeña), but I don't think that it is correct (rae) Spanish.

Answer 4

I guess not everyone in Texas knows how to spell.

Answer 5

Actually this is a good question Jim. I see in Wiki that it is jalepeño but let's see what the forum comes up with in different regions.

Answer 6

Hello.

Regarding to pepper, the correct expression is "chile jalapeño" (singular) / chiles jalapeños (plural)".

Saludos.

Answer 7

jalapeño, ña.

• 1) adj. Natural de Jalapa de Enríquez. U. t. c. s.
• 2) adj. Perteneciente o relativo a esta ciudad, capital del Estado de Veracruz, en México.

? V.

chile jalapeño

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