Spanish for Beginners: Asking 'What's in this?' and 'Does this have ___?'
Learn to ask what's in a dish and whether it contains common ingredients in Latin American Spanish, with polite curiosity.
By MarcusFood & cafés · Yapr Learn
In this lesson, you'll learn how to ask what is in a dish or whether it contains a specific ingredient in Spanish. This is useful when you're curious about a new food, want to know what you're eating, or simply want to learn more about a dish. We'll focus on two key questions: ¿Qué lleva esto? (What's in this?) and ¿Esto tiene ___? (Does this have ___?). You'll also learn common ingredient words and how to use them in conversation. The goal is to satisfy your curiosity, not to avoid foods due to dietary restrictions.
By the end, you can…
- ask what is in a dish using ¿Qué lleva esto?
- ask if a dish contains a specific ingredient using ¿Esto tiene ___?
- name at least 10 common ingredients in Spanish.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
¿Qué lleva esto?
What's in this? (What does this have?)
keh YEH-vah ES-toh
Use this to ask about the ingredients of a dish. It's a general question that invites a list of ingredients.
¿Esto tiene pollo?
Does this have chicken?
ES-toh TYEH-neh POH-yoh
Use this pattern to ask about a specific ingredient. Replace 'pollo' with any ingredient.
¿Lleva cebolla?
Does it have onion?
YEH-vah seh-BOH-yah
A shorter way to ask if a dish contains a specific ingredient. The subject 'esto' is implied.
¿Tiene mariscos?
Does it have seafood?
TYEH-neh mah-REES-kohs
Useful for asking about seafood in general. Note: 'mariscos' is plural.
No como cerdo, ¿lleva cerdo?
I don't eat pork, does it have pork?
noh KOH-moh SEHR-doh, YEH-vah SEHR-doh
This combines a dietary restriction with a question. It's direct but polite.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The verb 'llevar' literally means 'to carry', but in the context of food, it means 'to have' or 'to contain'. So '¿Qué lleva?' means 'What does it have?' or 'What's in it?'. You can also use 'tener' (to have) to ask about a specific ingredient: '¿Tiene ___?' (Does it have ___?). Both are common, but 'llevar' is more frequently used when asking about the ingredients of a dish. For example: '¿Qué lleva la sopa?' (What's in the soup?), '¿La sopa lleva crema?' (Does the soup have cream?).
When to use it
Use these questions when you are curious about a dish, perhaps at a restaurant or a friend's house. They are polite and show interest. If you have a dietary restriction, you can combine them: 'No como carne, ¿lleva carne?' (I don't eat meat, does it have meat?). However, the focus here is on curiosity, not avoidance. You can also ask about specific ingredients you like or dislike: '¿Lleva cilantro?' (Does it have cilantro?). Remember to use 'esto' (this) or 'eso' (that) if you're pointing at a dish, or the name of the dish: '¿El mole lleva chocolate?' (Does mole have chocolate?).
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
¿Qué lleva este platillo?
What's in this dish?keh YEH-vah ES-teh plah-TEE-yohLleva pollo, arroz y verduras.
It has chicken, rice, and vegetables.YEH-vah POH-yoh, ah-ROHS ee behr-DOO-rahs¿Tiene queso?
Does it have cheese?TYEH-neh KEH-sohNo, no tiene queso. Pero lleva crema.
No, it doesn't have cheese. But it has cream.noh, noh TYEH-neh KEH-soh. PEH-roh YEH-vah KREH-mahA little context goes a long way
In many Latin American countries, asking about ingredients is common and not considered rude. However, if you have dietary restrictions, it's better to state them clearly and politely. For example, 'Soy alérgico a los mariscos' (I'm allergic to seafood) or 'No como cerdo por razones religiosas' (I don't eat pork for religious reasons). In some regions, 'llevar' might be used more than 'tener' for asking about ingredients. Also, note that in Spain, 'llevar' is also used, but 'tener' might be more common in some contexts. Always listen to how locals phrase it.
One thing to watch for
Using 'tener' when asking about ingredients in a dish, as in '¿Qué tiene esto?' which can sound like 'What does this have?' but is less idiomatic than '¿Qué lleva esto?'.
Try this instead: While '¿Qué tiene esto?' is understandable, '¿Qué lleva esto?' is more natural when asking about the ingredients of a dish. For example, '¿Qué lleva la enchilada?' is better than '¿Qué tiene la enchilada?'. However, 'tener' is perfectly fine when asking about a specific ingredient: '¿Tiene cebolla?' is correct.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How would you ask 'What's in this?' in Spanish?
Show a sample answer
¿Qué lleva esto?
This is the most common way to ask about the ingredients of a dish. You could also say '¿Qué tiene esto?' but 'lleva' is more idiomatic.
2Translate: 'Does it have cheese?'
Show a sample answer
¿Tiene queso?
Use 'tiene' for asking about a specific ingredient. You can also say '¿Lleva queso?' which is equally correct.
3What is the Spanish word for 'onion'?
Show a sample answer
cebolla
Cebolla is the common word for onion. Remember to pronounce the 'll' as a 'y' sound in most Latin American dialects.
To ask what's in a dish, use '¿Qué lleva esto?' or '¿Qué tiene esto?'. To ask if it has a specific ingredient, use '¿Tiene ___?' or '¿Lleva ___?'. Practice with common ingredients like pollo, queso, cebolla, and mariscos. Being curious about food is a great way to engage with Spanish-speaking cultures.
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