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trapo

TRAH-poh/ˈtɾapo/

“trapo” means “rag” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

rag

Also: cloth, dishcloth
NounmA1
Mexico
A worn, colorful cotton cloth sitting on a wooden table, used for cleaning.

📝 In Action

Limpia el polvo con un trapo húmedo.

A1

Wipe the dust with a damp rag.

Necesito un trapo viejo para secar el suelo.

A2

I need an old cloth to dry the floor.

Deja el trapo de cocina sobre el mostrador.

B1

Leave the dishcloth on the counter.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • paño (cloth/wipe)
  • bayeta (cleaning cloth)

Antonyms

  • gala (finery/elegant dress)

Common Collocations

  • trapo de cocina – dishcloth
  • trapo húmedo – damp rag
  • trapo sucio – dirty rag

Idioms & Expressions

  • sacar los trapos sucios – to air someone's dirty laundry; to reveal private secrets
  • poner como un trapo – to tell someone off or scold them harshly
  • entrar al trapo – to take the bait or respond to a provocation

clothes

Also: duds, attire
NounmB1informal
A messy pile of various colorful shirts and pants on a bedroom floor.

📝 In Action

Le encanta gastarse el sueldo en trapos.

B1

She loves spending her salary on clothes.

No tengo ningún trapo que ponerme para la fiesta.

B1

I don't have a single thing to wear to the party.

Ese trapo que llevas es muy moderno.

B2

That piece of clothing you're wearing is very trendy.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • cuatro trapos – a few cheap clothes
  • ir hecho un trapo – to be dressed shabbily or to feel exhausted

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "trapo" in Spanish:

attire→cloth→clothes→dishcloth→duds→rag→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: trapo

Question 1 of 3

If someone is 'sacando los trapos sucios', what are they doing?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
trapito(little rag) — Noun
trapear(to mop) — Verb
trapero(ragpicker/ragman) — Noun
trapeador(mop) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

Derived from the Late Latin word 'drappus', which was used to describe a piece of cloth or fabric. It likely has ancient Celtic or Germanic roots.

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

French: drapEnglish: drapeItalian: drappo

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between 'trapo' and 'paño'?

Both mean cloth. 'Trapo' is usually more informal and suggests a rag or something used for rough cleaning. 'Paño' sounds slightly more formal and is often used for dish towels or specialized cleaning cloths (like for glasses).

Is 'trapo' used the same way in Spain and Latin America?

Yes, though Latin America uses the verb 'trapear' (to mop) and the noun 'trapeador' (mop) much more frequently than Spain, where 'fregar' and 'fregona' are preferred.

Can 'trapo' be an adjective?

No, 'trapo' is strictly a noun. However, it appears in many descriptive phrases like 'hecho un trapo' to describe how someone looks or feels.