tapa del váter
/tapa del bateɾ/from spelling rules
The English phrase "toilet seat" is translated into Spanish as tapa del váter.
This phrase refers to the seat of a toilet.
Meaning: seat of a toilet (noun)
Which one should you use?
tapa del váter is a colloquial way to refer to the seat. For a more formal or neutral tone, you can use asiento del inodoro. In more formal contexts, tapa del inodoro is also used.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
tapa del váter is an informal term because váter is a colloquial word used primarily in Spain. In formal situations, you should use tapa del inodoro or asiento del retrete.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, asiento del retrete and its alternative asiento del váter are used. In many Latin American countries, the word inodoro is preferred over váter, such as in the form tapa del inodoro. In Mexico, you may also encounter the variation tapa del excusado.
How do you pronounce it?
/tapa del bateɾ/
Did you know?
- While you might use tapa for a toilet seat, the same word refers to the delicious small appetizers served with drinks throughout Spain.
- While váter sounds English, it entered Spanish via French, making it a linguistic relay where the English 'water closet' was filtered through another language first.
- The word inodoro, used for toilet in many Latin American countries, literally translates to 'without odor', emphasizing the hygienic purpose of the fixture.
Examples in context
- Cuando termines, por favor cierra la tapa del inodoro.When you're done, please close the toilet seat lid.
- ¿Has visto el asiento del retrete? Está roto.Have you seen the toilet seat? It's broken.
- No olvides bajar la tapa del water.Don't forget to put the toilet seat lid down.
- La tapa del váter está sucia.The toilet seat is dirty.
- La tapa del váter está rota.The toilet seat is broken.
- Necesito comprar una tapa del váter nueva.I need to buy a new toilet seat.
- Por favor, cierra la tapa del váter.Please, close the toilet seat.
Example conversation
Lucía and Alejandro are in their bathroom.
- Lucía¿Por qué está sucia la tapa del váter?Why is the toilet seat dirty?
- AlejandroLo siento, Lucía, no la limpié.I'm sorry, Lucía, I didn't clean it.
- LucíaDebes tener más cuidado con la tapa del váter.You must be more careful with the toilet seat.
- AlejandroTienes razón, la limpiaré ahora mismo.You're right, I'll clean it right now.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries del, tapa, váter, CC BY-SA 4.0.
