Noun
/manteka/
The word "manteca" refers to a type of fat derived from animal sources, primarily from pigs, and is commonly used in cooking and baking as a flavor enhancer and ingredient for pastries. It has a culinary application and is prevalent in the cuisine of many Spanish-speaking countries.
In Spain, "manteca" can also refer specifically to lard, while in Latin America, it can be used more generally to indicate any kind of fat used in cooking. This term is frequently used in both oral and written contexts, particularly within culinary discussions.
La manteca se utiliza para hacer los deliciosos bizcochos.
Lard is used to make delicious pastries.
No olvides comprar manteca para la receta de galletas.
Don’t forget to buy shortening for the cookie recipe.
Mi abuela siempre usaba manteca en su famosa receta de frijoles.
My grandmother always used lard in her famous bean recipe.
While "manteca" is not as commonly found in idiomatic expressions, there are a few colloquial uses relating to fat or cooking that can be constructed. Here are some examples:
Después de conseguir ese trabajo, ahora estoy en la manteca.
After getting that job, now I’m in a comfortable situation.
No hay manteca sin trabajo.
There’s no fat without work. (Meaning you can’t achieve good results without effort.)
Si quieres tener éxito, recuerda que no hay manteca sin trabajo.
If you want to succeed, remember there’s no good result without effort.
Andar como pez en el agua y manteca.
To swim like a fish in water and lard. (Meaning to feel very comfortable and at ease.)
The term "manteca" originates from the Latin word "mantica," meaning "lard." Over time, it evolved in the Spanish language to refer specifically to types of animal fat prevalent in cooking.
With this comprehensive breakdown, you should have a solid understanding of the word "manteca" in its various contexts.