taza
“taza” means “cup” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
cup, mug
Also: cuppa
📝 In Action
Necesito una taza de café para despertarme.
A1I need a cup of coffee to wake up.
Esta taza tiene un asa rota, ten cuidado.
A2This mug has a broken handle, be careful.
Me compré una taza nueva con dibujos de gatos.
A1I bought myself a new cup with cat drawings.
toilet bowl
Also: toilet
📝 In Action
Hay que limpiar la taza del baño con desinfectante.
B1We have to clean the toilet bowl with disinfectant.
El fontanero tuvo que reemplazar la taza porque estaba rajada.
B2The plumber had to replace the toilet bowl because it was cracked.
🔀 Commonly Confused With
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✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: taza
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses 'taza' in its most common meaning?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
The word comes from the Arabic *ṭassah*, meaning 'basin' or 'shallow bowl,' which itself likely derived from a Greek or Persian root. This explains why the word applies to both a drinking cup and a toilet basin—they are both bowl-shaped containers!
First recorded: Medieval period (around the 13th century)
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
¿Cuál es la diferencia entre 'taza' y 'tasa'?
This is a very common confusion! 'Taza' (with a Z) means a physical cup or the toilet bowl. 'Tasa' (with an S) is a completely different word meaning 'rate,' 'tax,' or 'fee,' often used in financial or statistical contexts (e.g., 'tasa de interés' is interest rate).
If I want a large cup of coffee, should I use 'taza' or 'tazón'?
You can use 'taza' for a standard cup or mug. If you want a truly massive, bowl-like mug, 'tazón' (which means large bowl) is a great choice.