Verb
/θamˈpar/ (Castilian) or /samˈpar/ (Latin America)
"Zampar" is a colloquial verb in Spanish commonly meaning to eat something greedily or in large quantities. It often conveys a sense of gluttony or someone who eats hastily without regard for moderation. The frequency of use is generally higher in oral speech than in written contexts, especially in informal situations.
Él suele zampar toda la pizza en una sola sentada.
He usually gobbles up the entire pizza in one sitting.
No puedes zampar tanto, te va a hacer daño.
You can’t devour that much; it’s going to hurt you.
Después de correr, siempre zamparé algo rápido.
After running, I always eat something quickly.
"Zampar" is often used in different idiomatic expressions that highlight the act of eating in a casual or greedy manner. Below are a few examples with translations:
¡Vas a zampar como un cerdo si sigues así!
You’re going to gobble up like a pig if you keep that up!
Cuando tengo hambre, no puedo evitar zampar lo que encuentro.
When I’m hungry, I can’t help but eat whatever I find.
Los niños suelen zampar dulces en las fiestas.
Children tend to devour sweets at parties.
Me encanta zampar palomitas mientras veo una película.
I love to munch on popcorn while watching a movie.
The term "zampar" is believed to have originated from the Old Spanish word "zampar," which also meant to devour or eat greedily. Its roots suggest connections with expressions of hunger and consumption possibly influenced by older forms of the language, as reflected by its current usage in colloquial Spanish.
This comprehensive overview reflects the nuances of the word "zampar," highlighting its usage, idiomatic significance, and related linguistic elements in the Spanish language.