zapatilla
/θapaˈtiʝa/feminine
In Spanish, the English phrase slipper can be translated as zapatilla. Wiktionary also lists pantufla and babucha.
Meaning: low shoe usually worn indoors (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| zapatilla | /θapaˈtiʝa/ | feminine |
| pantufla | /panˈtufla/ | feminine |
| babucha | /baˈbut͡ʃa/ | feminine |
| zapatilla de estar por casa | /θapatiʝa de estaɾ poɾ kasa/ (Spain, from spelling rules) /sapatiʝa de estaɾ poɾ kasa/ (Latin America, from spelling rules) |
feminine |
The term refers to a low shoe, typically worn indoors.
Which one should you use?
In many Spanish-speaking regions, zapatilla is the standard word for a sneaker or athletic shoe. To avoid confusion with athletic shoes, pantufla is more commonly used to specifically mean an indoor house slipper. For an even more descriptive way to refer to a slipper intended for lounging at home, you can use the idiomatic phrase zapatilla de estar por casa.
How does it change in a sentence?
All the provided forms are feminine nouns. The plural form zapatillas is used to refer to both a pair of slippers and a pair of sneakers.
How do you pronounce it?
/θapaˈtiʝa/
Did you know?
- The term babucha originates from the Persian word pâ-puš.
- The word babucha specifically evokes the style of a pointed-toe slipper common in North African and Middle Eastern cultures.
- The phrase estar por casa does not just describe the shoe, but refers to the general state of being 'at home' or lounging.
Examples in context
- El chico ha perdido la zapatilla.The boy lost the slipper.This sentence shows how to use zapatilla to talk about a lost item.Tatoeba #8331665 by arh, translation #10921665 by Luornu
- Me olvidé las chanclas en casa de mi amigo.I forgot my slippers at my friend's place.
- Mi abuela siempre usa pantuflas para mantener los pies calientes.My grandmother always wears slippers to keep her feet warm.
- ¿Dónde dejé mis ojotas?Where did I leave my slippers?
- La zapatilla es muy suave.The slipper is very soft.
Example conversation
Alejandro and Elena are in the living room.
- AlejandroElena, ¿dónde está mi zapatilla?Elena, where is my slipper?
- ElenaEstá debajo del sofá, Alejandro.It is under the sofa, Alejandro.
- AlejandroGracias, no la veía.Thanks, I couldn't see it.
- ElenaDe nada, ponla en su lugar.You're welcome, put it in its place.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “slipper” translations and entries zapatilla, pantufla, babucha, zapatilla de estar por casa, 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 babucha, casa, de, estar, pantufla, por, zapatilla, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
