vs 

QUICK ANSWER
"Cocer" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to cook", and "cocinar" is a transitive verb which is also often translated as "to cook". Learn more about the difference between "cocer" and "cocinar" below.
cocer(
koh
-
sehr
)
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
transitive verb
a. to cook
Mi mamá está cociendo calabazas con tomate y cebolla.My mom is cooking squash with tomato and onion.
b. to boil
Cuece el espagueti por 12 minutos.Boil the spaghetti for 12 minutes.
a. to bake
¿Cuánto tiempo tengo que cocer el pay?How long do I need to bake the pie for?
a. to fire
Hay que cocer la pieza por 18 horas.You need to fire the piece for 18 hours.
cocerse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
pronominal verb
a. to cook
¿Cuánto tarda en cocerse el arroz?How long does the rice take to cook?
b. to boil
Los macarrones ya se están cociendo.The macaroni is boiling now.
a. to bake
Mientras el pastel se cuece, vamos a preparar el glaseado.While the cake is baking, let's make the frosting.
6.
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
(colloquial)
(to feel hot)
a. to bake
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
(colloquial)
Se cuece esta habitación. - Prende el aire.This room is baking. - Turn on the air.
b. to roast
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
(colloquial)
¿No te estás cociendo con tantos suéteres?Aren't you roasting with so many sweaters on?
c. to boil
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
(colloquial)
De día en Marbella te cueces y de noche te congelas.During the day in Marbella you boil and at night you freeze.
7.
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
(colloquial)
(to get drunk)
a. to get plastered
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
(colloquial)
Fernando y sus amigos se cocieron en su fiesta de graduación.Fernando and his friends got plastered at his graduation party.
b. to get smashed
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
(colloquial)
Se cocieron los fans cuando su equipo ganó el campeonato.The fans got smashed when their team won the championship.
8.
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
(colloquial)
(to plan)
a. to cook
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
(colloquial)
Algo se cuece con ellos dos.Something's cooking with those two.
b. to brew
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
(colloquial)
No sé qué, pero algo se está cociendo con ese grupito.I don't know what, but something is brewing with that little group.
Copyright © 2025 Dictionary Media Group, Inc.
cocinar(
koh
-
see
-
nahr
)
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
transitive verb
a. to cook
Te voy a cocinar una cena muy rica esta noche.I'm going to cook you a delicious dinner tonight.
2.
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
(colloquial)
(to prepare in secret)
a. to plot
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
(colloquial)
Creo que la familia está cocinando una intervención.I think the family is plotting an intervention.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
intransitive verb
a. to cook
¿Sabes cocinar?Can you cook?
cocinarse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
pronominal verb
a. to cook
Este tipo de arroz se cocina en menos de 20 minutos.This kind of rice cooks in under 20 minutes.
Copyright © 2025 Dictionary Media Group, Inc.