leche desnatada
Lemma Details
Translation: skim milk; skimmed milk; nonfat milk
Part of Speech: noun phrase
Etymology: Compound term from 'leche' (milk) and 'desnatada' (skimmed). 'Leche' comes from Latin 'lac, lactis' (milk), sharing roots with English 'lactose' and 'lactation'. 'Desnatada' derives from the prefix 'des-' (meaning removal) and 'nata' (cream), literally meaning 'de-creamed' or 'with cream removed'. The term accurately describes the process of removing fat from whole milk.
Commonality: 80%
Guessability: 40%
Register: neutral
Example Usage
Prefiero usar leche desnatada en mi café para reducir calorías.
I prefer to use skim milk in my coffee to reduce calories.
La leche desnatada tiene menos grasa pero mantiene el calcio.
Skim milk has less fat but maintains the calcium.
Para esta receta necesitamos un litro de leche desnatada.
For this recipe we need a liter of skim milk.
Mnemonics
- 'Desnatada' sounds like 'des' (un-) + 'nata' (cream) = 'uncreamed' or milk with the cream removed.
- Think of 'des-' as 'less' and 'nata' as 'fat' - so 'less fat milk'.
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Synonyms
Antonyms
Cultural Context
Leche desnatada is commonly found in Spanish supermarkets and is popular among health-conscious consumers. In Spain and Latin America, it's a standard option alongside whole milk and semi-skimmed milk. The term appears on food packaging and in recipes focused on healthier eating.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: While 'leche desnatada' is fully skimmed milk with minimal fat content (usually less than 0.5%), 'leche semidesnatada' is semi-skimmed milk that retains some fat (typically 1.5-1.8%).
Confused word:
La leche semidesnatada contiene aproximadamente 1.5% de grasa.
Semi-skimmed milk contains approximately 1.5% fat.
Notes: Both are healthier alternatives to whole milk, but leche desnatada has the lowest fat content.
Mnemonic: 'Semi' indicates 'half' - so it's halfway between whole milk and completely skimmed milk.
Explanation: These terms are essentially synonymous in Spanish, but 'leche desnatada' is more common in Spain, while 'leche descremada' is more frequently used in some Latin American countries.
Confused word:
En México, es más común decir leche descremada.
In Mexico, it's more common to say 'leche descremada'.
Notes: The difference is regional rather than meaning-based.
Mnemonic: 'Desnatada' from 'nata' (cream) and 'descremada' from 'crema' (cream) - both mean the cream has been removed.