"Chapa" is primarily a noun in Spanish.
/ˈt͡ʃapa/
"Chapa" can have several meanings depending on the context in which it is used. In general, it refers to: - A flat piece or plate of metal or another material used for various purposes (e.g., cover, closure). - A badge or identification (e.g., police badge). - It can also refer to colloquially to caps or tops, especially in some South American countries.
The term is versatile and is used across different regions of the Spanish-speaking world, making its frequency of use relatively common. It is frequently used in both oral and written contexts, though specific uses may vary regionally.
En la tienda compré una chapa de metal para la puerta.
In the store, I bought a metal plate for the door.
El oficial de policía mostró su chapa de identificación.
The police officer showed his identification badge.
Necesitamos una chapa para cubrir el agujero en el techo.
We need a plate to cover the hole in the roof.
"Chapa" is involved in several idiomatic expressions, especially in colloquial usage. Below are some expressions featuring "chapa":
Tener chapa
To have clout or influence.
Él tiene chapa en la comunidad, así que siempre puede resolver problemas.
He has clout in the community, so he can always solve problems.
Chapa y pintura
A term used to describe superficial fixes or improvements (akin to "lip service").
No te dejes engañar, solo le hicieron chapa y pintura al proyecto.
Don't be fooled, they just did superficial fixes to the project.
Chapa de gato
Refers to an informal way of saying someone is pretending to be something they are not.
Esa chica es una chapa de gato, no es lo que dice ser.
That girl is just pretending, she is not what she claims to be.
Estar chapado a la antigua
To be old-fashioned.
Mi abuelo está chapado a la antigua y no acepta las tecnologías modernas.
My grandfather is old-fashioned and doesn’t accept modern technologies.
The word "chapa" originates from the Latin word "clapa," which means a plate or a sheet. Over time, it evolved in the Spanish language, gaining various meanings based on contextual use.
Synonyms: - Placa - Plomo (in some contexts) - Distintivo (in the context of a badge)
Antonyms: - Ninguno específico (there are not specific antonyms as it varies widely with context).
Overall, "chapa" is a multifaceted term used across various contexts, reflecting both tangible objects like plates and more abstract concepts like influence or superficiality.