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"La torta" is a noun which is often translated as "cake", and "el pastel" is a noun which is also often translated as "cake". Learn more about the difference between "la torta" and "el pastel" below.
la torta(
tohr
-
tah
)A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
1. (culinary) (South America)
Regionalism used in South America: Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela
a. sandwich
Ese lugar sirve las tortas de pollo más ricas de todo México.That place serves the best chicken sandwiches in all of Mexico.
5. (culinary) (Central America)
Regionalism used in Central America: Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama
6. (colloquial) (hit)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
a. slap (with an open hand)
Le pegó una torta a su hermano por decir una grosería.She slapped her brother for saying a bad word.
el pastel(
pahs
-
tehl
)A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
1. (culinary)
a. cake
Necesito extracto de vainilla para hacer el glaseado del pastel.I need some vanilla extract to make the icing for the cake.
b. pie (with a pastry crust)
He comprado pastel de carne para la cena.I bought a meat pie for dinner.
2. (fine arts)
a. pastel
La mayoría de su obra es al pastel y acuarelas.Most of his work is done with pastels and watercolors.
