Is there a difference in usage between "la fruta" and "el fruto"?

Question

I have come across both "la fruta" and "el fruto". I am having trouble distinguishing their usage despite reading through the definitions in your dictionary. Any additional thoughts?

Answer 1

My Spanish teacher taught me that "la fruta" is for literal fruit, and "el fruto" is for figurative or spiritual fruit. I went to a Christian school and my teacher was a native Spanish speaker.

Fruit from a tree = la fruta

Fruit of your labor, fruit of the Spirit = el fruto

Quite helpful. Thanks! - gsd9437, Mar 20, 2012

Answer 2

La fruta = literal and el fruto = figurative

Answer 3

According to the RAE official Spanish language dictionary, fruto is the product of a plant. A tree bearing fruit...that would be el fruto.

Fruta, on the other hand, is the edible fruit that a plant produces, like pears, apples, peaches, etc.

When fruits in general are referred to in masculine form, it is usually referring to the tree or the product the tree produces.

• La manzana= apple. El manzano=apple tree
• La naranja=orange. El naranjo= orange tree
• La cereza= cherry. El cerezo= cherry tree

When referring to the fruit you eat, it is usually the feminine one.

Also, "frutos secos" refers to nuts like cashews, peanuts, etc.

Gracis .Por eso, se podria decir "La manzana no cae lejos del manzano"! jejeje - gsd9437, Mar 21, 2012

Answer 4

La fruta = Fruta = Fruit.

• El fruto = The fruit. I. E. ...the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,... Galatians 5:22 (KJV), I can't wait to see the fruit of my work! The fruit of an apple tree is..., etc.