zapatillas
/θapatiʝas/from spelling rules
The Spanish word for sneakers is zapatillas.
zapatillas refers to comfortable shoes with rubber soles used for sports or casual wear. Because zapatillas can also mean indoor slippers, you should rely on context to distinguish whether someone is talking about athletic footwear or house shoes.
Which one should you use?
While zapatillas can refer to any casual shoe or slipper, you can use zapatillas de deporte to specify that you mean athletic sneakers. In informal speech, if you are referring to the term zapatos deportivos, you can simply say deportivos.
How does it change in a sentence?
The singular form is zapatilla, but the word is almost always used in the plural form zapatillas when referring to a pair of sneakers.
How do you pronounce it?
/θapatiʝas/
Did you know?
- In many Caribbean countries, like Puerto Rico or the Dominican Republic, the word tenis is the standard way to refer to sneakers, regardless of the sport being played.
- The word zapatillas comes from the diminutive of zapato, meaning 'little shoe', which highlights the historical view of these being small or lightweight footwear.
- While zapatillas is the standard term in Spain, using it in a casual conversation in many Latin American countries might actually lead people to think you are talking about your indoor house slippers.
Examples in context
- Los calcetines y las zapatillas son nuevos.The socks and sneakers are new.This sentence is useful for listing items like socks and sneakers.Tatoeba #1105029 by Shishir, translation #1263622 by xellugis
- Mis zapatillas deportivas huelen asquerosas.My sneakers smell gross.This sentence uses the phrase to describe the smell of athletic sneakers.Tatoeba #5015839 by albrusgher, translation #9855628 by DJ_Saidez
- Me tengo que comprar unas zapatillas más cómodas.I need to buy more comfortable sneakers.This sentence shows how to express a need to purchase more comfortable sneakers.Tatoeba #9667856 by Shishir, translation #9855632 by DJ_Saidez
- María siempre lleva unas zapatillas blancas para hacer ejercicio.María always wears white sneakers for exercising.
- Los nuevos tenis de Juan son muy cómodos.Juan's new sneakers are very comfortable.
- ¿Dónde puedo comprar deportivas nuevas?Where can I buy new sneakers?
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Elena and Daniel are at a shopping mall.
- Elena¿Te gustan estas zapatillas, Daniel?Do you like these sneakers, Daniel?
- DanielSí, son muy bonitas, Elena.Yes, they are very pretty, Elena.
- ElenaSon muy cómodas para caminar.They are very comfortable for walking.
- DanielEntonces, deberías comprarlas.Then, you should buy them.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
