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plato

PLAH-toh/ˈplato/

plate

Also: dish
NounmA1
A single, empty, white ceramic dinner plate resting on a surface.

📝 In Action

Por favor, pon los platos limpios en la mesa.

A1

Please, put the clean plates on the table.

Se me cayó un plato de cerámica y se rompió.

A2

A ceramic plate fell on me and broke.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • vajilla (set of dishes)
  • fuente (serving dish)

Common Collocations

  • plato hondo – deep bowl/soup plate
  • lavar los platos – to wash the dishes

dish, course

Also: meal
NounmA2
A steaming bowl filled with a colorful, prepared meal, specifically pasta with red sauce.

📝 In Action

¿Cuál es el plato del día en este restaurante?

A2

What is the dish of the day in this restaurant?

Mi plato favorito es la lasaña.

A2

My favorite dish is lasagna.

El primer plato fue una sopa de verduras.

B1

The first course was a vegetable soup.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • comida (food)
  • manjar (delicacy)

Common Collocations

  • plato principal – main course
  • plato fuerte – main dish/specialty
  • plato vegetariano – vegetarian dish

record

Also: cymbal, chainring
NounmB2informal
Latin AmericaSpain
A glossy black vinyl record disc with visible grooves.

📝 In Action

Ese DJ tiene una colección de platos antiguos impresionante.

B2

That DJ has an impressive collection of old records (vinyl).

Añade un poco de sonido con los platos de la batería.

C1

Add some sound with the cymbals of the drum kit.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • disco (record/disc)
  • vinilo (vinyl)

Common Collocations

  • poner un plato – to put on a record
  • tocar los platos – to play the cymbals

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "plato" in Spanish:

chainring→course→cymbal→dish→meal→plate→record→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: plato

Question 1 of 2

If someone says, 'El plato de arroz es excelente,' what are they referring to?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
platillo(saucer; small plate) — Noun
platazo(huge plate; large dish (of food)) — Noun
emplatar(to plate (food)) — Verb
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

Comes from the Medieval Latin word *plattus*, meaning 'flat' or 'level,' which is related to the Greek word *platýs* (wide, flat). This perfectly describes the shape of the object.

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

Italian: piattoFrench: plat

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'plato' the same as 'tazón'?

No. 'Plato' is flat or shallow (like a dinner plate or side plate). 'Tazón' is a deep, rounded container, usually translated as 'bowl' or 'mug,' used for soup or cereal.

How do I say 'main course' in Spanish?

You can use 'el plato principal' or 'el plato fuerte.' Both are very common ways to describe the biggest or most important part of the meal.