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mesa

MEH-sah/ˈme.sa/

table

Also: desk
NounfA1
A simple wooden dining table standing alone, ready for use.

📝 In Action

La comida está en la mesa.

A1

The food is on the table.

Necesitamos una mesa para cuatro personas, por favor.

A1

We need a table for four people, please.

Dejé mis llaves sobre la mesa de centro.

A2

I left my keys on the coffee table.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • poner la mesa – to set the table
  • quitar la mesa – to clear the table
  • mesa de noche / mesilla – nightstand / bedside table
  • mesa de centro – coffee table

Idioms & Expressions

  • poner las cartas sobre la mesa – to be open and honest about something

board

Also: panel, desk
NounfB2formal
Four diverse professional adults sitting around a large round table, gesturing and discussing a serious topic, representing a committee or board.

📝 In Action

La mesa directiva se reunirá mañana para tomar una decisión.

B2

The board of directors will meet tomorrow to make a decision.

Se organizó una mesa redonda con expertos para debatir el problema.

B2

A round table discussion with experts was organized to debate the problem.

El presidente de la mesa electoral contó los votos.

C1

The chairman of the polling station board counted the votes.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • mesa directiva – board of directors
  • mesa redonda – round table (discussion)
  • mesa electoral – polling station

plateau

Also: mesa, tableland
NounfC1
A vast, flat-topped mountain (a mesa) rising dramatically from a dry, desert landscape under a blue sky.

📝 In Action

En el desierto de Arizona se pueden ver muchas mesas impresionantes.

C1

In the Arizona desert, you can see many impressive mesas.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • meseta (plateau)
  • altiplano (high plateau)

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "mesa" in Spanish:

board→desk→mesa→panel→plateau→table→tableland→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: mesa

Question 1 of 1

Which sentence uses 'mesa' to talk about a group of people?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
mesilla(small table, nightstand) — Noun
mesero / mesera(waiter / waitress) — Noun
sobremesa(after-dinner conversation (at the table)) — Noun
mesón(large table; inn) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

Comes directly from the Latin word 'mēnsa', which also meant 'table'. It has kept its original meaning for over two thousand years.

First recorded: Around the 10th century

Cognates (Related words)

Portuguese: mesaItalian: mensaCatalan: mesa

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Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between 'mesa' and 'tabla'?

'Mesa' is the whole piece of furniture with legs that you eat at or work on. 'Tabla' is just a flat piece of material, like a 'tabla de cortar' (cutting board) or a wooden plank.

How do I say 'waiter' or 'waitress'?

The word for waiter/waitress comes from 'mesa'! It's 'mesero' for a man and 'mesera' for a woman. In Spain, it's more common to use 'camarero' or 'camarera'.

Is there a word for the conversation people have after a meal at the table?

Yes, and it's a wonderful Spanish concept! It's called 'la sobremesa'. 'Sobre' means 'on' or 'over', so it literally means 'over the table'.