copas
/KOH-pahs/
drinks
“Copas” can refer to social drinks, often alcoholic, enjoyed during a night out.
copas(noun)
drinks
?social outing, often alcoholic
,a round of drinks
?paying for beverages
nightcap
?late-night drink
📝 In Action
¿Vamos a tomar unas copas después del trabajo?
A2Shall we go for some drinks after work?
Siempre salimos de copas los viernes.
B1We always go out for drinks on Fridays.
💡 Grammar Points
Always Plural for Socializing
When talking about the social activity, 'copas' is almost always used in the plural, even if you only plan to have one drink.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing 'copa' and 'vaso'
Mistake: "Using 'vasos' (tumblers/regular cups) when referring to elegant stemware or wine."
Correction: Use 'copas' specifically for wine glasses, champagne flutes, or cocktail glasses with stems.
⭐ Usage Tips
Culture Note
In Spain, 'ir de copas' implies going out to bars late at night, usually after dinner, and is a very common social plan.
In Spanish, “copas” is the word for specific types of drinking glasses, like goblets or stemware.
📝 In Action
Por favor, pon las copas de vino en la mesa.
A1Please put the wine glasses on the table.
Se rompieron tres copas durante la fiesta.
A2Three glasses broke during the party.
💡 Grammar Points
Singular vs. Plural
The singular form is 'copa' (a single glass/goblet). 'Copas' is used when referring to two or more.
The word “copas” also describes the dense, leafy canopy at the top of a tree.
copas(noun)
canopy
?the top part of a tree
,crown
?the leafy head of a tree
tree top
?upper section of foliage
📝 In Action
Las copas de los árboles daban mucha sombra.
B1The tree canopies provided a lot of shade.
El viento movía las copas de los pinos suavemente.
B2The wind moved the crowns of the pine trees gently.
💡 Grammar Points
Figurative Use
This meaning comes from the resemblance of a tree's rounded top to an inverted cup or goblet ('copa').
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: copas
Question 1 of 2
Which meaning of 'copas' is used when planning a social outing with friends?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'copas' and 'vasos'?
'Copas' usually refers to glasses that have a stem or base, like wine glasses or cocktail glasses. 'Vasos' are regular tumblers or drinking cups without a stem.
Does 'copas' always mean alcohol?
Not always, but when used in the context of 'ir de copas' (going out for drinks), it almost always implies alcoholic beverages consumed socially, typically late in the evening.