tapa
/TAH-pah/
tapa
A traditional tapa is a small Spanish appetizer or snack, often served free with a drink.
tapa(noun)
tapa
?Spanish appetizer or snack
,appetizer
?small, savory snack
small dish
?served alongside drinks
📝 In Action
Vamos a tomar una cerveza y unas tapas.
A1Let's grab a beer and some tapas.
¿Qué tapas tienen hoy? ¿Hay patatas bravas?
A2What tapas do you have today? Are there spicy potatoes?
En Andalucía, a veces te dan la tapa gratis con la bebida.
B1In Andalusia, sometimes they give you the tapa for free with the drink.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using 'Tapa' for a Full Meal
Mistake: "Pedimos tres tapas para cenar (We ordered three tapas for dinner)."
Correction: Tapas are snacks, not usually a full meal. You should say 'Pedimos tres raciones' or 'Pedimos tres platos' if you mean a full dinner.
⭐ Usage Tips
Cultural Note: Tapa History
The word 'tapa' literally means 'cover.' The tradition started by covering drinks with a slice of bread or ham to keep flies out. The small snack you eat today is the evolution of that 'cover.'
Tapa can refer to a lid for a pot or jar.
tapa(noun)
lid
?for a pot or jar
,cover
?general covering or top
,cap
?for a bottle or pen
manhole cover
?street utility cover
,book cover
?the physical cover of a book
📝 In Action
Cierra el bote con su tapa para que no se seque.
A2Close the jar with its lid so it doesn't dry out.
La tapa de la botella está rota.
A2The cap of the bottle is broken.
Necesito quitar la tapa de la olla para ver si el agua hierve.
B1I need to take the lid off the pot to see if the water is boiling.
⭐ Usage Tips
Related Verb
The verb related to this meaning is 'tapar,' which means 'to cover,' 'to close,' or 'to block.' You use it whenever you put a cover on something.
The removable piece on the bottom of a shoe heel is called a tapa.
tapa(noun)
heel tip
?the removable piece on the bottom of a shoe heel
,sole
?the bottom layer of a shoe
tap
?cobbler's term for a heel piece
📝 In Action
Necesito llevar estos zapatos al zapatero para cambiar la tapa.
B1I need to take these shoes to the cobbler to change the heel tip.
La tapa de mis botas ya está muy gastada.
B2The sole/heel tip of my boots is already very worn out.
⭐ Usage Tips
Specific Usage
While 'suela' is the general word for the sole of a shoe, 'tapa' usually refers specifically to the small piece of material that covers the very bottom of the heel, especially on high-heeled shoes, which wears out quickly.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: tapa
Question 1 of 2
Which meaning of 'tapa' is being used in the sentence: 'La tapa del bolígrafo se perdió en mi bolso.'
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'tapa' a specific type of food?
No, 'tapa' is a concept, not a single dish. It refers to any small, savory portion of food served with a drink. It can be olives, cheese, cured meats, small sandwiches, or even miniature versions of full Spanish dishes like paella.
How do I know if 'tapa' means 'lid' or 'snack'?
Context is key! If you are in a bar or restaurant and ordering food or drinks, it means the snack. If you are talking about household items, bottles, or containers, it means the lid or cover.