Inklingo

How to Say "cap" in Spanish

English → Spanish

gorra

GOR-rah/ˈɡora/

nounA1general
Use this word for a hat with a visor, typically worn for sun protection or as a fashion item.
A simple, bright red baseball cap with a curved visor resting on a plain background.

Examples

Me puse mi gorra azul antes de salir al sol.

I put on my blue cap before going out into the sun.

Olvidé mi gorra en el coche de mi amigo.

I forgot my cap in my friend's car.

Ella colecciona gorras de diferentes equipos deportivos.

She collects caps from different sports teams.

Gender Reminder

Remember that 'gorra' is feminine, so it requires feminine words like 'la' (the) and 'una' (a/an) before it, and feminine adjectives like 'roja' (red) after it.

Confusing 'Gorra' and 'Sombrero'

Mistake: “Using 'sombrero' when referring to a baseball cap.”

Correction: Use 'gorra' for caps with a visor or brim. 'Sombrero' is for wide-brimmed hats.

tapa

TAH-pah/ˈtapa/

nounA2general
This is the word for the lid or cover of a container, like a bottle, jar, or pen.
A simple silver metal lid sitting loosely on top of a clear glass canning jar.

Examples

Cierra el bote con su tapa para que no se seque.

Close the jar with its lid so it doesn't dry out.

La tapa de la botella está rota.

The cap of the bottle is broken.

Necesito quitar la tapa de la olla para ver si el agua hierve.

I need to take the lid off the pot to see if the water is boiling.

corona

/koh-ROH-nah//koˈɾo.na/

nounB2medical
Use this for a dental cap, a covering placed over a damaged tooth.
A close-up illustration of a single white tooth with a perfectly fitted, shiny white dental crown placed over it.

Examples

El dentista me dijo que necesito una corona de porcelana.

The dentist told me I need a porcelain crown.

La corona de la muela está floja.

The crown of the molar is loose.

techo

/TAY-cho//ˈte.tʃo/

nounB2financial/regulatory
This refers to a limit or maximum, often in a financial or regulatory context.
A storybook illustration showing a stack of colorful blocks hitting a solid horizontal wooden plank, symbolizing a hard limit or maximum capacity.

Examples

Han puesto un techo al precio de la gasolina.

They have put a cap on the price of gasoline.

Siento que he tocado techo en esta empresa; ya no puedo ascender más.

I feel like I've hit the ceiling in this company; I can't be promoted any further.

Figurative Use

When 'techo' is used figuratively, it refers to the highest point or limit you can reach, often in a career or economic situation.

Using 'Límite' vs. 'Techo'

Mistake: “Sometimes learners use 'límite' when 'techo' sounds more idiomatic for a maximum level.”

Correction: Use 'techo' for established caps (like salary or debt) or reaching a personal peak. Example: 'Hemos llegado al techo de la deuda' (We've reached the debt ceiling).

toca

/TOH-kah//ˈtoka/

nounB2professional/medical
This is a type of head covering worn by professionals like nurses or chefs.
A stylized illustration of a person wearing a traditional stiff white head covering known as a coif.

Examples

Las enfermeras usaban una toca blanca durante la operación.

The nurses wore a white cap during the operation.

La toca de la monja cubría su rostro casi por completo.

The nun's wimple covered her face almost completely.

Headwear vs. Lids

Learners often confuse 'gorra' and 'tapa' because both can be seen as 'covers'. Remember that 'gorra' is specifically for wearing on your head, while 'tapa' is for closing containers.

Related Translations

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