bofetada
/bofeˈtada/feminine
In Spanish, the English phrase "slap" is most commonly translated as bofetada. If unsure, use bofetada. Wiktionary also lists cachetada and guantada.
Meaning: A blow dealt with the open hand (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| bofetada | /bofeˈtada/ | feminine |
| cachetada | /kat͡ʃeˈtada/ | feminine |
| guantada | /ɡwanˈtada/ | feminine |
| bofetón | /bofeton/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
| guantazo | /ɡwanˈtaθo/ /ɡwanˈtaso/ |
masculine |
| cachete | /kaˈt͡ʃete/ | masculine |
| manotazo | /manoˈtaθo/ /manoˈtaso/ |
masculine |
| manotada | /manoˈtada/ | feminine |
| manazo | /maˈnaθo/ /maˈnaso/ |
masculine |
| palmotazo | /palmotaθo/ (Spain, from spelling rules) /palmotaso/ (Latin America, from spelling rules) |
masculine |
| mandoble | /mandoble/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
A slap is a blow dealt with the open hand. To express the action of slapping someone, you typically use the collocation dar una bofetada, which literally translates to "to give a slap".
What does it mean word for word?
The word manotazo is constructed from mano (hand) and the suffix -azo, which is used to denote a heavy blow.
Which one should you use?
The forms vary in intensity and meaning. While bofetada is the standard term, bofetón refers to a more intense or harder version of a slap. The word cachete can mean a slap, but it is also the common word for "cheek" in many dialects. Manotazo specifically implies a blow with the hand.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Cachetada is particularly used in Latin American countries.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
/bofeˈtada/
Did you know?
Examples in context
- Le di un bofetón.I gave him a slap.This sentence is useful for seeing how to use the form bofetón.Tatoeba #1676559 by termito2nd, translation #1861089 by Nuel
- Le dio un cachete.She gave him a slap in the face.This sentence is useful for seeing how to use the form cachete.Tatoeba #1043376 by Shishir, translation #806765 by BraveSentry
- El juez le dio una bofetada al acusado por su comportamiento irrespetuoso.The judge slapped the defendant for his disrespectful behavior.
- Mi madre me dio una palmada en la cara para hacerme entrar en razón.My mother slapped my face to make me come to my senses.
- Mi hermano me dio una cachetada por gastar su dinero sin permiso.My brother slapped me for spending his money without permission.
- Después de decirle eso, mi amigo me dio un guantazo para hacerme reflexionar.After saying that to him, my friend slapped me to make me think.
- La bofetada me dolió mucho.The slap hurt me a lot.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Javier and Sofía are discussing a scene from a movie.
- JavierMira esa escena, ¡qué bofetada tan fuerte!Look at that scene, what a hard slap!
- SofíaSí, fue muy sorprendente.Yes, it was very surprising.
- JavierNo puedo creer que lo hiciera.I can't believe she did it.
- SofíaEs la parte más intensa del drama.It is the most intense part of the drama.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “slap” translations and entries bofetada, cachetada, guantada, bofetón, guantazo, cachete, manotazo, manotada, manazo, mandoble, 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 bofetada, bofetón, guantada, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
