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I have heard many different translations for bowl (the dish) in different Spanish-speaking countries. What words are normally used to translate "bowl"? Which is most universally understood? What regional variants are there?

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up vote 11 down vote accepted

From the top of my head, I use here in Spain, quite interchangeably:

  • tazón
  • cuenco
  • bol
  • ponchera

As per the comments, I've added ponchera to the list.
Now, thinking a bit about this, I would say I use

  • bol: as a generic semispheric vessel (any size).
  • ponchera: as a large bowl (a punch-bowl)
  • cuenco: also generic, but smaller ones
  • "tazón" for this kind of bowl (with a "foot"):
    enter image description here
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+1 bol and cuenco are news to me :) – Icarus Jan 13 '12 at 19:52
Ponchera is another possible translation. – Gonzalo Medina Jan 16 '12 at 0:48
bol is the most familiar to me – leonbloy Jan 16 '12 at 16:32

I think that "at least when I grew up" we called bowls by their function.

  • "Plato de sopa" (soup plate)
  • "Plato de cereal" (cereal plate)
  • "Plato hondo" (deep plate)
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please try to spell words correctly both in English and Spanish – Javi Jan 13 '12 at 10:27
Believe me I tray – Fortunato Jan 13 '12 at 20:46
@Fortunato: I tray? sigh – Flimzy May 18 '14 at 2:24

I am Cuban for me the correct answer is Plato Hondo (deep plate).

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That's a good option, actually, the best. But somebody has already answer that. So, if you agree, you should upvote that answer, but not add a new answer repeating information. – c.p. May 18 '14 at 10:48
@c.p. The OP asked about regional differences. The other answer doesn't say anything about that. – Calle May 25 '14 at 10:23

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