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patata

pah-TAH-tah/paˈtata/

potato

Also: spud
NounfA1
SpainLatin America
A single brown potato with a few small eyes on a clean white surface.

📝 In Action

Quiero una patata asada para cenar.

A1

I want a baked potato for dinner.

Las patatas fritas de este restaurante son las mejores.

A2

The French fries at this restaurant are the best.

Tienes que pelar las patatas antes de ponerlas en la olla.

B1

You have to peel the potatoes before putting them in the pot.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • papa (potato (used in Latin America))
  • tubérculo (tuber)

Common Collocations

  • patatas fritas – French fries / potato chips
  • puré de patatas – mashed potatoes
  • patatas bravas – spicy fried potatoes (a famous Spanish tapa)

Idioms & Expressions

  • vete a freír patatas – telling someone to get lost or go away
  • estar como una patata – to be out of shape or feeling physically 'blah'

clunker / piece of junk

Also: lemon
NounfB2informal
Spain
An old, rusty car with a flat tire and smoke coming from the engine.

📝 In Action

Este móvil es una patata, siempre se apaga solo.

B2

This phone is a piece of junk; it always turns off by itself.

No compres ese coche, es una patata.

B2

Don't buy that car; it's a clunker.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • trasto (piece of junk)
  • basura (trash)

Antonyms

  • joya (gem / jewel (referring to something high quality))
  • maravilla (marvel)

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "patata" in Spanish:

spud→

🗣️ Practice in a Tongue Twister

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: patata

Question 1 of 3

In which country are you most likely to hear the word 'patata' used for the vegetable?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
patatal(potato field) — Noun
patatita(little potato) — Noun
patatero(potato seller or potato-loving) — Noun / Adjective
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

A mix of the Quechua word 'papa' and the Taíno word 'batata' (sweet potato). Spanish explorers blended the two words into 'patata' in the 16th century.

First recorded: 16th century

Cognates (Related words)

Italian: patataEnglish: potato

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between 'papa' and 'patata'?

They mean the same thing (potato). 'Patata' is used in Spain, while 'papa' is used in Latin America and some parts of southern Spain/Canary Islands.

Is 'patata' masculine or feminine?

It is feminine. You should always say 'la patata' or 'las patatas'.

Can 'patata' mean 'heart' in Spanish?

Sometimes! In very informal slang, some people refer to the heart as 'la patata' (e.g., 'me duele la patata'), though 'corazón' is the proper word.