Vegetable: verdura vs. vegetal?

Question

What is the difference between *verduras* and *vegetales*? In what situations can one be used as a translation for "vegetables" and the other cannot?

Answer 1

It really depends where you are. In some countries, "vegetales" refers to any kind of plant or vegetation, whereas "verduas" refers specifically to something you eat. A vegetal might not necessarily be a "verdura", but a "verdura" is always a "vegetal."

In other countries, "verduras" specifically refers to green vegetables, like herbs or lettuce. Think of it like "greens" in English.

Long story short, if you use "verduras" or "vegetales" to talk about vegetables, Spanish speakers will be able to understand you.

Hope this helps!

Answer 2

Verduras is used more within food context. Vegetales is used to describe more nature: Animales y vegetales conviven en la naturaleza (animals and vegetables life together in nature)

Answer 3

There is no difference overall between the two words. They can be used interchangeably. Some Spanish-speaking countries have a preference over which word speakers use. Verdura contains same root as the word "verde" meaning green. Hope this helps.