Inklingo

How to Say "smock" in Spanish

English → Spanish

bata

/BAH-tah//ˈbata/

nounB1general
Use 'bata' for a smock worn for protection during activities like painting, crafts, or in a laboratory setting.
A person wearing a crisp, white lab coat standing near a chemistry beaker.

Examples

Todos los estudiantes deben usar la bata en el laboratorio.

All students must wear the lab coat in the laboratory.

El médico se puso su bata blanca antes de empezar la operación.

The doctor put on his white coat before starting the operation.

Context is Key

When talking about work or school, 'bata' almost always means a protective outer layer, like a lab coat or smock, rather than a soft robe.

blusa

/bloo-sah//ˈblusa/

nounB2general
Choose 'blusa' when referring to a loose, often more stylish, protective garment worn by artists or certain workers, emphasizing its role as an outer layer for clothing.
A long, loose artist's smock covered in colorful paint splatters.

Examples

El pintor se puso su blusa antes de empezar el cuadro.

The painter put on his smock before starting the painting.

Historical Context

In this specific meaning, 'blusa' can sometimes refer to garments worn by men, especially in historical or artistic contexts.

Bata vs. Blusa for protective wear

Learners often confuse 'bata' and 'blusa' because both can be protective garments. Remember 'bata' is very common for lab work or crafts, while 'blusa' might imply a slightly more specific, perhaps older or artist-specific, type of smock.

Related Translations

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