Inklingo
← Dictionary

zapatero

sah-pah-TEH-roh/sapaˈteɾo/

“zapatero” means “shoemaker” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

shoemaker, cobbler

Also: shoe repairer
NounmA2
A skilled artisan sitting at a wooden workbench, carefully stitching a brown leather shoe with a needle and thread.

📝 In Action

Llevé mis botas favoritas al zapatero para cambiarles las suelas.

A2

I took my favorite boots to the shoemaker to have the soles changed.

El zapatero del barrio trabaja muy bien y es barato.

B1

The neighborhood cobbler does great work and is inexpensive.

Antiguamente, el zapatero hacía todo el calzado a mano.

B2

In the old days, the shoemaker made all the footwear by hand.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • remendón (mender/patcher)

Common Collocations

  • zapatero remendón – a cobbler who does quick repairs
  • oficio de zapatero – shoemaking trade

Idioms & Expressions

  • Zapatero, a tus zapatos – Mind your own business or stick to what you know

shoe rack, shoe cabinet

NounmA2
A tidy wooden cabinet with multiple shelves, neatly holding several pairs of colorful shoes.

📝 In Action

Por favor, guarda tus zapatillas en el zapatero.

A1

Please, put your sneakers in the shoe rack.

He comprado un zapatero nuevo porque ya no caben mis zapatos.

A2

I bought a new shoe cabinet because my shoes don't fit anymore.

El zapatero de madera combina con los muebles de la entrada.

B1

The wooden shoe rack matches the furniture in the entryway.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • mueble para zapatos (shoe furniture)

Common Collocations

  • zapatero de madera – wooden shoe rack
  • zapatero de tela – hanging fabric shoe organizer

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "zapatero" in Spanish:

cobbler→shoe cabinet→shoe rack→shoe repairer→shoemaker→

🗣️ Practice in a Tongue Twister

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: zapatero

Question 1 of 3

If you need to fix a broken heel on your boot, who should you look for?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
zapato(shoe) — Noun
zapatería(shoe store) — Noun
zapatilla(slipper/sneaker) — Noun
zapatear(to tap one's feet / to dance flamenco) — Verb
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

From the word 'zapato' (shoe) combined with the ending '-ero' (denoting a person or holder). The root 'zapato' likely comes from Turkish or Persian through Arabic influences in Spain.

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

Portuguese: sapateiroItalian: ciabattino

💡 Master Spanish

Take your Spanish to the next level. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories tailored to your level with the Inklingo app!

Frequently Asked Questions

Does 'zapatero' mean the same thing as 'cobbler'?

Yes, 'zapatero' is the general Spanish word for someone who both makes and repairs shoes, covering what we call a shoemaker or a cobbler in English.

Can I use 'zapatero' for a shoe store?

No, a shoe store is a 'zapatería'. 'Zapatero' refers to the person who works with shoes or the furniture piece you use to store them.

Why is 'Zapatero' sometimes used as a last name?

Like many English names (Smith, Baker, Miller), 'Zapatero' is an occupational surname, meaning the family's ancestors were likely shoemakers.