la tapa
/la tapa/from spelling rules
In Spanish, "the lid" is la tapa.
la tapa refers to a removable cover for a container. In certain contexts in Spain, la tapa also refers to a small appetizer or snack served with a drink.
What does it mean word for word?
tapa means cover, plug or lid. It is derived from the verb tapar, which means "to cover".
Which one should you use?
While la tapa is a lid for a container, el tapón is used for a plug, a stopper or a bottle cap.
How do you pronounce it?
/la tapa/
When do people say it?
In Spain, la tapa can also refer to a small appetizer or snack served with a drink.
Did you know?
- The word tapa is a linguistic traveler that may connect to the English word 'tap'. This is due to a shared Proto-Germanic ancestor meaning 'plug' or 'stopper'.
- In some Spanish regions, the term tapear is used as a verb to describe the social act of going around different bars to eat small snacks.
- The word tapa is used in Spanish to describe not only container lids but also the 'cover' of a book or a magazine.
Examples in context
- La tapa está cerrada.The lid is closed.This sentence is useful for describing the state of la tapa.Tatoeba #1901444 by marcelostockle, translation #1898213 by CK
- No puedo quitar la tapa.I cannot get the lid off.This sentence is useful for expressing inability to remove la tapa.Tatoeba #4391977 by pchamorro, translation #21781 by CC
- Tom quitó la tapa de la caja.Tom removed the lid from the box.This sentence is useful for describing the action of removing la tapa from a box.Tatoeba #1411039 by marcelostockle, translation #1093073 by CK
- La tapa del frascoThe lid of the jar
- La tapa del contenedorThe lid of the container
- Ponle la tapita al frascoPut the lid on the jar
- ¡Abre la tapita!Open the lid!
- Debes colocar la tapadera para que el agua hierva más rápidoYou should put the lid on for the water to boil faster
- ¡Ponle la tapita a la botella!Put the lid on the bottle!
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alejandro and Elena are in the kitchen preparing dinner.
- Alejandro¿Dónde está la tapa de la olla, Elena?Where is the lid of the pot, Elena?
- ElenaEstá sobre la estufa, Alejandro.It is on the stove, Alejandro.
- AlejandroGracias, la tapa es muy pequeña.Thanks, the lid is very small.
- ElenaSí, pero funciona bien.Yes, but it works well.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries la, tapa, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
