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calzado

kal-SAH-doh/kalˈθaðo/

“calzado” means “footwear” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

footwear

Also: shoes
NounmA2
A neat row of various types of footwear including a leather boot, a sneaker, and a sandal.

📝 In Action

Es importante elegir un calzado cómodo para caminar mucho.

A2

It is important to choose comfortable footwear for walking a lot.

En esta tienda venden calzado de cuero de alta calidad.

B1

In this shop, they sell high-quality leather footwear.

El calzado de seguridad es obligatorio en la construcción.

B2

Safety footwear is mandatory in construction.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • zapatería (shoe store (often used for the products themselves))
  • zapatos (shoes)

Antonyms

  • descalzo (barefoot)

Common Collocations

  • calzado deportivo – athletic footwear / sneakers
  • calzado de tacón – high-heeled shoes
  • industria del calzado – footwear industry

shod

Also: wearing shoes
A close-up of a person's feet wearing sturdy brown leather shoes and blue socks.

📝 In Action

No puedes entrar al salón si no vas bien calzado.

B1

You can't enter the hall if you aren't properly shod (wearing appropriate shoes).

El caballo estaba recién calzado.

B2

The horse was newly shod (had new horseshoes).

Iba calzada con unas botas rojas muy elegantes.

C1

She was wearing very elegant red boots.

Word Connections

Antonyms

  • descalzo (barefoot)

Common Collocations

  • bien calzado – wearing good/appropriate shoes

Idioms & Expressions

  • ir bien calzado – to be well-prepared or well-shod, sometimes used to mean having a good car or resources

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "calzado" in Spanish:

footwear→shod→shoes→wearing shoes→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: calzado

Question 1 of 3

Which of these would you use to talk about the entire shoe industry?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
calzar(to put on shoes) — Verb
descalzo(barefoot) — Adjective
calzador(shoehorn) — Noun
calza(stocking / wedge) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

From the Spanish verb 'calzar', which comes from the Latin 'calceāre' (to provide with shoes), originating from 'calceus' (shoe) and 'calx' (heel).

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

Portuguese: calçadoItalian: calzato

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'calzado' the same as 'zapatos'?

Not exactly. 'Zapatos' refers to specific pairs of shoes. 'Calzado' is a broader term like 'footwear' that includes boots, sandals, and sneakers.

Can I use 'calzado' to mean a single shoe?

No, if you lose one shoe, you say 'perdí un zapato'. 'Calzado' is used for the concept or a group.

Why do people say 'calzado' when talking about horses?

Because it literally means 'fitted with shoes.' Since horses wear metal shoes, the same word family applies to them!