chapa
“chapa” means “sheet metal” in Spanish. It has 3 different meanings depending on context:
sheet metal, bottle cap
Also: badge, token
📝 In Action
El coche tiene una abolladura en la chapa.
A2The car has a dent in the metal body.
¿Tienes un abridor? No puedo quitar la chapa.
A1Do you have an opener? I can't get the bottle cap off.
Los niños juegan con chapas en el recreo.
A2The children play with bottle caps during recess.
door lock
Also: doorknob plate
📝 In Action
No puedo entrar, la chapa de la puerta está trabada.
A2I can't get in; the door lock is jammed.
Voy a cambiar la chapa porque perdí las llaves.
B1I'm going to change the lock because I lost my keys.
Echa la chapa al salir, por favor.
A2Lock the door on your way out, please.
a drag, earful
📝 In Action
Mi jefe me dio una chapa de dos horas sobre el presupuesto.
B2My boss gave me a two-hour earful about the budget.
¡Qué chapa de película! Me quedé dormido.
B2What a boring movie! I fell asleep.
No me des la chapa con tus problemas ahora.
B2Don't bore me with your problems right now.
Translate to Spanish
Words that translate to "chapa" in Spanish:
a drag→badge→bottle cap→door lock→doorknob plate→earful→sheet metal→token→✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: chapa
Question 1 of 3
If you are in Mexico and someone says 'la chapa no abre,' what is the problem?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
Likely from an old sound-imitative word related to the 'clink' of metal, or from the French word 'chappe' meaning a cover or lid.
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'chapa' used for money?
In some very specific slang contexts in Argentina or Uruguay, it can refer to coins or money, but it is much more common to mean a metal plate or a lock.
What is the difference between 'chapa' and 'cerradura'?
'Cerradura' is the technical, formal word for 'lock' used everywhere. 'Chapa' is the informal or regional word used for 'lock' in places like Mexico and Colombia.
Can 'chapa' refer to someone's face?
Yes! In many countries, 'las chapas' refers to the rosy color of someone's cheeks, especially when they are blushing or healthy-looking.