Inklingo
← Dictionary
A single, brightly colored red lace-up shoe resting on a simple surface, viewed from the side.

zapato

sah-PAH-toh

nounmA1
shoe?an item of footwear
Also:footwear?general term for shoes

📝 In Action

Perdí un zapato cuando corría bajo la lluvia.

A1

I lost one shoe when I was running in the rain.

Necesito unos zapatos cómodos para caminar todo el día.

A1

I need comfortable shoes to walk all day.

Estos zapatos de cuero son muy elegantes y caros.

A2

These leather shoes are very elegant and expensive.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • calzado (footwear)
  • bota (boot)

Common Collocations

  • zapato deportivo – sport shoe / sneaker
  • zapato de tacón – high-heeled shoe
  • par de zapatos – pair of shoes

Idioms & Expressions

  • Estar en los zapatos de alguien – To be in someone else's situation; to walk a mile in their shoes.

💡 Grammar Points

Masculine Noun Rule

Since 'zapato' ends in -o, it is a masculine word. Remember to use masculine articles and adjectives with it (e.g., 'el zapato', 'los zapatos nuevos').

❌ Common Pitfalls

Using Singular for a Pair

Mistake: "Compré un zapato."

Correction: Compré unos zapatos. (Unless you only bought one single shoe, Spanish usually refers to the pair in the plural: 'zapatos'.)

⭐ Usage Tips

Specific Types of Shoes

For specialized footwear, 'zapato' is often combined with an adjective: 'zapato deportivo' (sport shoe) or 'zapato de vestir' (dress shoe). However, 'zapatilla' is often used for sneakers or slippers.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: zapato

Question 1 of 1

Which sentence correctly uses 'zapato' when talking about a typical pair of shoes?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

zapatería(shoe store / shoemaking trade) - noun
zapatero(shoemaker / shoe seller) - noun
zapatilla(slipper / sneaker / athletic shoe) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between 'zapato' and 'zapatilla'?

'Zapato' is the general word for shoe. 'Zapatilla' is usually used for lighter footwear, like slippers, sneakers, or sometimes women's high heels, depending on the region. Think of 'zapatilla' as a diminutive (a smaller or lighter version) of 'zapato'.

How do I ask for my size when buying shoes?

You can ask: '¿Cuál es mi número de zapato?' (What is my shoe number/size?) or simply '¿Qué número usa?' (What number do you wear?).