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garapiñar means to candy-coat — a common term in Funny Words. Learn how it's used in a real-world example.

📅 Published: February 2, 2026

😆 Funny Words

garapiñar

verb • /[ga-ra-pee-NYAR]/

to candy-coat

Example:

Vamos a garapiñar almendras.

Let’s candy-coat some almonds.

🧠 What does garapiñar mean?

The verb 'garapiñar' refers to a specific culinary process of coating nuts or seeds in a hard, crunchy layer of caramelized sugar. It involves cooking the nuts in a syrup of sugar and water until the water evaporates and the sugar crystallizes and then melts into a shiny, amber-colored coating. The resulting product is known as 'frutos secos garapiñados' (candy-coated nuts), a popular treat at fairs and festivals.

📚 Extra examples

  • En la feria del pueblo siempre venden almendras garapiñadas.
    At the town fair, they always sell candy-coated almonds.
  • Aprendí a garapiñar cacahuates con la receta de mi abuela.
    I learned to candy-coat peanuts with my grandmother's recipe.
  • El cocinero va a garapiñar las semillas de girasol para decorar el postre.
    The chef is going to candy-coat the sunflower seeds to decorate the dessert.
  • El olor a nueces al garapiñar es inconfundible.
    The smell of nuts being candy-coated is unmistakable.

💡 Did You Know?

The word 'garapiñar' comes from 'garapiña', which is the term for the crystallized sugar syrup used in the process. The resulting snacks are a classic street food, especially during holidays and festivals, filling the air with a sweet, warm aroma.

🔁 Synonyms & opposites of "garapiñar"

Synonyms: acaramelar, caramelizar, confitar, glasear
Opposites: salar, dejar al natural

🔍 See more funny words words

❓ FAQ

How do you say 'to candy-coat' in Spanish?
The most precise term is 'garapiñar', especially for the process of coating nuts in a hard sugar shell. Other verbs like 'caramelizar' (to caramelize) or 'acaramelar' (to candy or sweeten) can also be used, but 'garapiñar' describes this specific technique.
How do you pronounce 'garapiñar' in Spanish?
The word 'garapiñar' is pronounced /ɡa.ɾa.piˈɲaɾ/. The stress falls on the final syllable, 'ñar'. The 'ñ' is pronounced like the 'ny' sound in the English word 'canyon'.
How do you use 'garapiñar' in a sentence?
'Garapiñar' is a regular -ar verb. A typical sentence would be: 'Voy a garapiñar estas nueces para la merienda.' (I am going to candy-coat these walnuts for the snack.)
What is the English translation of 'garapiñar'?
The best English translation is 'to candy-coat' or 'to sugar-coat,' specifically in the culinary sense of covering something, usually nuts, with a hard, crunchy sugar glaze.
Does 'garapiñar' change for gender or number?
As a verb, 'garapiñar' is conjugated for person and tense, but not for gender or number. However, its past participle, 'garapiñado/a', is often used as an adjective and must agree with the noun it modifies. For example: 'el cacahuate garapiñado' (masculine singular) and 'las almendras garapiñadas' (feminine plural).
Is 'garapiñar' common in everyday Spanish?
The verb itself is mainly used in culinary contexts. However, the adjective form 'garapiñado/a' is quite common and can be seen on menus and food packaging for products like candied nuts or seeds.
Does 'garapiñar' have slang or double meanings?
No, 'garapiñar' does not have any common slang or figurative meanings. Its use is almost exclusively literal and refers to the cooking process.
Is 'garapiñar' used differently in Spain vs Latin America?
The meaning of 'garapiñar' is consistent across the Spanish-speaking world. While the type of nut most commonly prepared this way may differ by region (e.g., almonds in Spain, peanuts in Mexico), the verb and the technique it describes are the same.
How do you conjugate 'garapiñar' in Spanish?
'Garapiñar' is a regular -ar verb. Its present tense conjugation is: yo garapiño, tú garapiñas, él/ella/usted garapiña, nosotros/as garapiñamos, vosotros/as garapiñáis, ellos/ellas/ustedes garapiñan.

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