Inklingo
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gorra

/GOR-rah/

cap

A simple, bright red baseball cap with a curved visor resting on a plain background.

This is a typical gorra, a piece of headwear often featuring a visor.

gorra(noun)

fA1

cap

?

headwear, usually with a visor

Also:

baseball cap

?

specific type of cap

📝 In Action

Me puse mi gorra azul antes de salir al sol.

A1

I put on my blue cap before going out into the sun.

Olvidé mi gorra en el coche de mi amigo.

A2

I forgot my cap in my friend's car.

Ella colecciona gorras de diferentes equipos deportivos.

B1

She collects caps from different sports teams.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • cachucha (cap (regional))

Common Collocations

  • ponerse la gorra – to put on a cap
  • gorra de béisbol – baseball cap
  • llevar gorra – to wear a cap

💡 Grammar Points

Gender Reminder

Remember that 'gorra' is feminine, so it requires feminine words like 'la' (the) and 'una' (a/an) before it, and feminine adjectives like 'roja' (red) after it.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Confusing 'Gorra' and 'Sombrero'

Mistake: "Using 'sombrero' when referring to a baseball cap."

Correction: Use 'gorra' for caps with a visor or brim. 'Sombrero' is for wide-brimmed hats.

⭐ Usage Tips

Visualizing the Word

Think of the flat brim (visor) that distinguishes a 'gorra' from a soft, brimless 'gorro' (beanie/winter hat).

A cheerful street vendor handing a colorful ice cream cone to a happy child. The child is receiving the treat without offering payment, symbolizing getting something for free.

When something is obtained 'de gorra,' it means it is free or obtained without payment.

gorra(noun)

fB1

(in phrase 'de gorra') free

?

without paying

Also:

gratis

?

synonym for free

,

on the house

?

provided at no cost

📝 In Action

Entramos al cine de gorra porque mi tío trabaja allí.

B1

We got into the movie theater for free because my uncle works there.

No te preocupes por el postre, es de gorra.

B2

Don't worry about dessert, it's free (on the house).

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • gratuito (free of charge)

Idioms & Expressions

  • ir de gorra – to attend or consume without paying; to freeload
  • echar la gorra – to pass the hat (to ask for donations)
  • pillar la gorra (Spain) – to get drunk

💡 Grammar Points

Idiomatic Use

When 'gorra' is used to mean 'free,' it is always preceded by the preposition 'de' (de gorra). It describes the manner of the action.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Confusing Adjectives and Adverbs

Mistake: "Trying to use 'gorra' as an adjective: 'un billete gorra'."

Correction: Use the adverbial phrase 'de gorra' or the adjective 'gratuito': 'un billete gratuito'.

⭐ Usage Tips

Origin Story

This phrase likely comes from the old practice of people begging by holding out their cap for coins.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: gorra

Question 1 of 1

Which sentence uses 'gorra' to mean 'without paying'?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

gorro(beanie, knit hat) - noun
visera(visor, brim) - noun
sombrero(hat (general, wide-brimmed)) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

¿Cuál es la diferencia entre 'gorra' y 'gorro'?

A 'gorra' is a cap, typically with a stiff brim or visor (like a baseball cap). A 'gorro' is a soft, usually knitted hat without a brim, like a beanie or a winter hat.

¿Es 'de gorra' un término formal?

No. 'De gorra' is very informal and common in casual conversation. If you need a formal word for 'free,' use 'gratuito' or 'sin costo'.