tacos
/takos/from spelling rules
The Spanish word for cleats is tacos.
While tacos can refer to the food in many contexts, in a sports context it specifically refers to the studs or the cleats themselves. For example, you might say tacos de fútbol to specify soccer cleats.
Meaning: pair of shoes equipped with cleats (noun)
Which one should you use?
The singular form is taco, used when referring to a single stud on the sole of a shoe.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In certain Latin American countries, the term championes con tapones may be used for 'cleats'.
How do you pronounce it?
/takos/
Did you know?
- In Colombia and Ecuador, you are more likely to hear guayos than tacos when referring to soccer cleats. This regionalism is so strong that using tacos might make you sound like a foreigner.
- The word taco is used in Spanish to describe anything that plugs a hole or fills a gap, such as a wall plug or a wedge. This is why it describes the studs that 'plug' into the grass.
- While tacos means cleats, the word botines is used in the Southern Cone. This comes from botín, meaning 'bootie' or 'ankle boot', focusing on the shape of the shoe rather than the studs.
Examples in context
- Para jugar fútbol en el campo de césped mojado, necesitas llevar zapatos con tacos.To play soccer on the wet grass field, you need to wear shoes with cleats.
- Voy a comprar nuevos tachones para jugar el partido de fútbol el sábado.I am going to buy new cleats to play the soccer match on Saturday.
- Necesito unos tacos nuevos para el fútbol.I need new cleats for soccer.
- ¿Dónde dejaste los tacos de fútbol?Where did you leave the soccer cleats?
- Mis tacos están muy sucios después del partido.My cleats are very dirty after the game.
Example conversation
Daniel and Lucía are at the sports store.
- Daniel¿Viste mis tacos de fútbol?Did you see my soccer cleats?
- LucíaNo, Daniel, pero yo tengo los míos aquí.No, Daniel, but I have mine here.
- DanielEs verdad, los dejé en el coche.That's true, I left them in the car.
- Lucía¡Vamos a buscarlos rápido!Let's go look for them quickly!
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
