Inklingo
← Dictionary

zapato

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

sah-PAH-toh

/θaˈpato/
NounmA1
neutralMexico / Central AmericaSpain
A single, brightly colored red lace-up shoe resting on a simple surface, viewed from the side.

📝 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?

💡 Master Spanish

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

🗣️ Practice in a Tongue Twister

Practice the pronunciation of this word with these Spanish tongue twisters.

📚 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?).