trapo
/ˈtɾapo/masculine
The English word 'rag' can be translated into Spanish as trapo. Wiktionary also lists jirón and bayeta.
Meaning: piece of cloth (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| trapo | /ˈtɾapo/ | masculine |
| jirón | /xiˈɾon/ | masculine |
| bayeta | /baˈʝeta/ | feminine |
| gamuza | /ɡaˈmuθa/ /ɡaˈmusa/ |
feminine |
| harapo | /aˈɾapo/ | masculine |
| andrajo | /anˈdɾaxo/ | masculine |
| guiñapo | /ɡiˈɲapo/ | masculine |
| chirapa | /t͡ʃiɾapa/ (from spelling rules) | feminine |
| argamandel | /aɾɡamanˈdel/ | masculine |
| rigil | /rixil/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
| cangalla | /kanɡaʝa/ (from spelling rules) | feminine |
| arrapiezo | /araˈpjeθo/ /araˈpjeso/ |
masculine |
The term refers to a piece of cloth. You can use the specific phrase trapo de cocina to describe a dish rag or a kitchen cloth used for drying hands or cleaning surfaces.
Which one should you use?
trapo is the most common, neutral word for a general rag used for cleaning or as a scrap of cloth. In contrast, harapo refers specifically to a rag that is torn, old or part of a person's tattered clothing, often implying poverty. bayeta is a specific type of rag, usually a soft cloth or dishcloth used specifically for wiping surfaces. Finally, andrajo is often used to describe a shred of cloth or a piece of clothing that is extremely worn out and hanging by a thread.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈtɾapo/
Did you know?
- The word gamuza likely originates from an extinct Alpine language and may be related to a root meaning 'without horns'.
- The expression tirar la toalla (throw in the towel) is used similarly to 'giving up' but is closely related to the concept of a trapo in a boxing context.
Examples in context
- Tom limpió la parte superior de la mesa con un trapo húmedo.Tom cleaned the top of the table with a wet rag.This sentence shows how to use trapo for cleaning a surface.Tatoeba #1637536 by teskmon, translation #1095262 by CK
- Mi madre usa la camisa vieja de mi padre como trapo para limpiar.My mom uses my dad's old shirt as a cleaning rag.This sentence illustrates using an old shirt as a trapo for cleaning.Tatoeba #1038515 by massama, translation #10658831 by DJ_Saidez
- ¡Qué hogar! El lugar parecía una tienda de trapos abandonada. La gran ventana sin cristales estaba cerrada por un pestillo deteriorado.What a home! The place looked like some disused rag-store. The large unglazed window was closed up by a dilapidated shutter.This sentence uses trapo in a descriptive way regarding a store.Tatoeba #6050542 by albrusgher, translation #1987226 by Scott
- Necesito un paño para limpiar el polvoI need a rag to clean the dust
- Por favor, tráigame un trapo para limpiar la mesaPlease bring me a rag to clean the table
- Pásame ese trapo para limpiar el pisoPass me that rag to clean the floor
- Ese mendigo lleva unos haraposThat beggar is wearing rags
- El mecánico utilizó un paño limpio para limpiar el motor del coche.The mechanic used a clean rag to clean the car engine.
- Ese niño siempre lleva harapos. Alguien debería ayudarlo.That child always wears rags, someone should help him.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Elena and Daniel are cleaning a spill in the kitchen.
- ElenaDaniel, ¿tienes un trapo limpio por ahí?Daniel, do you have a clean rag around here?
- DanielSí, hay uno debajo del fregadero.Yes, there is one under the sink.
- ElenaGracias, voy a secar este derrame.Thanks, I'm going to dry up this spill.
- DanielUsa ese trapo azul, que es más absorbente.Use that blue rag, it's more absorbent.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “rag” translations and entries trapo, jirón, bayeta, gamuza, harapo, andrajo, guiñapo, argamandel, arrapiezo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries gamuza, jirón, trapo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
