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"Cáscara" is a form of "cáscara", a noun which is often translated as "shell". "Corteza" is a noun which is often translated as "bark". Learn more about the difference between "cáscara" and "corteza" below.
la cáscara(
kahs
-
kah
-
rah
)A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
1. (covering)
a. shell (of an egg and nuts)
En la tortilla de papas hay un pedazo de cáscara.There's a piece of shell in the Spanish omelette.
b. peel (of fruit)
Cuando la leche hierva, añade azúcar y una cáscara de naranja.When the milk is boiling, add sugar and the peel of an orange.
c. skin (of a banana or potato)
Tira la cáscara de papa en el bote de compost.Throw the potato skin in the compost bin.
d. rind (of cheese or citrus)
Usé la cáscara del queso parmesano para añadirle más sabor a la sopa.I used the rind of the Parmesan cheese to add more flavor to the soup.
2. (on seafood)
a. shell
No bote las cáscaras de las gambas. Puede aprovecharlas para un caldo.Don't throw away the prawn shells. You can use them for a stock.
la corteza(
kohr
-
teh
-
sah
)A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
2. (culinary)
a. crust
A mi hijo le gusta quitarle la corteza al pan de sus sándwiches.My son likes his sandwich bread without the crust.
b. rind
Los quesos madurados por largos periodos tienen la corteza más dura.Cheeses aged for longer periods will have a harder rind.
c. peel
Por favor, pon la corteza de la naranja en la basura.Please, put the orange peels in the trash can.
3. (anatomy)
a. cortex
Una lesión en tu corteza motora primaria está causando que tus manos tiemblen.A lesion on your primary motor cortex is causing the tremor in your hands.
4. (geology)
a. crust
Los terremotos ocurren cuando la placas de la corteza terrestre chocan entre sí.Earthquakes happen when the plaques of the earth's crust crash into each other.
a. outside
Él es duro solo de corteza, en realidad, es un hombre muy tierno.He is tough only on the outside; in reality, he is a very sweet guy.
b. thick skin
Los problemas de la vida le dieron una corteza contra el sufrimiento.Life's problems have given him a thick skin.
las cortezas
A plural noun indicates that there is more than one person, place, thing, or idea.
a. pork rind (United States)
Regionalism used in the United States
He comido tantas cortezas últimamente que mi colesterol está por las nubes.I've eaten so many pork rinds lately, that my cholesterol skyrocketed.
b. pork scratching (United Kingdom)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
Estoy haciendo un delicioso plato de lentejas con cortezas.I'm cooking a delicious lentil and pork scratching dish.
