copia
/ˈkopja/
In Spanish, the word for copy is copia.
copia is used to refer to a duplicate or a reproduction of something. In a biological context, it can also refer to a genetics result of gene or chromosomal duplication. If you wish to ask for a duplicate of something, you can use the phrase ¿Puedo tener / obtener una copia de…? which means 'Can I have/get a copy of…?'
Meaning: produce something identical (verb)
Which one should you use?
While copia refers to a duplicate or reproduction, the word ejemplar is the preferred term when referring to a single printed edition of a book or magazine.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The word copia is versatile. It can function as a noun meaning 'a copy' or as the third-person singular present indicative of the verb copiar (meaning 'he/she copies' or 'you copy' in a formal sense). Other forms of the verb copiar include copio for 'I copy' and copias for 'you copy' in an informal context.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈkopja/
Did you know?
- The Latin root of copia originally meant 'abundance' or 'plenty' rather than a duplicate. You can still see this connection in the English word 'cornucopia', which refers to a 'horn of plenty'.
- In a professional or academic setting, if you say you 'copiaron' a text, it can carry a heavy connotation of plagiarism. While it literally means 'they copied', it is often used as a synonym for cheating in school.
- The verb copiar can also be used informally in some Spanish-speaking regions to mean 'to mimic' or 'to imitate' someone's behavior or way of speaking, often in a playful or mocking way.
Examples in context
- Esa es una copia.That's a copy.This sentence is useful for identifying a duplicate using copia.Tatoeba #1270868 by marcelostockle, translation #42520 by CK
- Copia esto, por favor.Copy this, please.This sentence is a way to issue a command to copy something using copia.Tatoeba #1991806 by marcelostockle, translation #997072 by Vulgaris
- Dale esta copia a Tom.Give this copy to Tom.This sentence shows how to give a specific copia to someone.Tatoeba #3225160 by Shishir, translation #3024414 by CK
- Me puedes entregar una copia del informe, por favor?Can you give me a copy of the report, please?
- Necesito hacer una copia de este documento.I need to make a copy of this document.
- Aquí tienes la copia certificada de tu título universitario.Here's the certified copy of your university degree.
- Debo fotocopiar estos apuntes antes de la clase.I need to photocopy these notes before class.
- Ayer fui a la papelería a fotocopiar los boletos.Yesterday, I went to the stationery store to make copies of the tickets.
- 59 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucía and Mateo are working in an office.
- LucíaMateo, ¿tienes el documento listo?Mateo, do you have the document ready?
- MateoSí, pero necesito una copia más.Yes, but I need one more copy.
- LucíaCopia el archivo ahora mismo.Copy the file right now.
- MateoEstá bien, lo hago ahora.Alright, I'll do it now.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry copia, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries copia, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
