Inklingo

How to Say "overcoat" in Spanish

English → Spanish

abrigo

ah-BREE-goh/aˈβɾi.ɣo/

nounA1General
Use 'abrigo' for a general, warm, and often long coat worn in cold weather, similar to the English 'overcoat' or 'winter coat'.
A thick, warm red winter coat with large buttons hanging on a simple wooden wall hook.

Examples

Me compré un abrigo nuevo porque el invierno será muy frío.

I bought myself a new overcoat because the winter will be very cold.

Necesito un abrigo nuevo para el invierno.

I need a new coat for the winter.

Dejé mi abrigo olvidado en el restaurante.

I left my coat forgotten in the restaurant.

Este abrigo de lana es muy calentito.

This wool coat is very warm.

Gender Rule

Since 'abrigo' is a masculine noun, remember to use masculine articles and adjectives with it (el abrigo, un abrigo, abrigos grandes).

tapado

/ta-PAH-doh//taˈpaðo/

nounB2General (regional)
While 'tapado' can mean a wrap or cloak, in some regions like Argentina and Uruguay, it specifically refers to a heavy, long coat, essentially an alternative to 'abrigo' for an overcoat.
A silhouette of a racing horse standing in the shadows while others are in the light.

Examples

Se puso un tapado grueso para salir a la nieve.

She put on a thick overcoat to go out in the snow.

Nadie conocía al candidato, era el tapado del partido.

Nobody knew the candidate; he was the party's 'dark horse' (hidden choice).

Ella llevaba un elegante tapado de piel.

She was wearing an elegant fur wrap.

Cocinamos un tapado de mariscos riquísimo.

We cooked a delicious seafood stew.

Noun vs Adjective

When used as a noun to mean 'dark horse', it's usually preceded by 'el' or 'un'.

Abrigo vs. Tapado

Learners often assume 'tapado' exclusively means 'wrap' or 'cloak'. While this is true in some contexts, be aware that in certain South American countries, 'tapado' is a common and direct synonym for 'abrigo' when referring to a heavy overcoat.

Related Translations

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