tapa
B2Informal to semi-formal
Definition
Meaning
A small Spanish dish or appetizer, typically served with drinks.
A piece of bark cloth, especially from the Pacific Islands; also refers to small plates of food in Spanish cuisine.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word has two main distinct meanings: 1) Spanish food culture, 2) Polynesian bark cloth. The Spanish culinary meaning is far more common internationally. In Spanish contexts, 'tapa' is singular; 'tapas' is plural.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both regions use the Spanish culinary meaning primarily. The Polynesian meaning is more likely in academic or anthropological contexts. British English may have slightly earlier adoption from tourism to Spain.
Connotations
Generally positive, associated with social dining, Mediterranean culture, and sharing food.
Frequency
Moderate frequency in both varieties, increasing in cosmopolitan areas and food writing. More frequent in UK due to proximity to Spain.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
order a tapaserve as a tapatry the tapashare tapasVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Go for tapas”
- “Tapa hopping”
- “A tapa and a drink”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare, except in hospitality/tourism industries (e.g., 'tapa menu offerings').
Academic
Used in anthropology for bark cloth; in culinary studies for Spanish food culture.
Everyday
Common when discussing dining out, Spanish cuisine, or travel experiences.
Technical
Specific in ethnography for Pacific Island material culture; in gastronomy for food presentation.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- We tapa-hopped along the seafront.
- They decided to tapa their way through the menu.
American English
- We tapa-hopped in the East Village.
- Let's tapa before the main show.
adverb
British English
- They ate tapa-style throughout the evening.
- The food was served tapa-fashion.
American English
- We dined tapa-style last night.
- The dishes came out tapa-fashion.
adjective
British English
- The tapa culture is vibrant in Barcelona.
- They offer a tapa-style lunch menu.
American English
- It's a tapa-focused restaurant.
- The event had a tapa bar.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I ate a tapa in Spain.
- This tapa is very good.
- We had tapas for dinner.
- The bar serves a delicious seafood tapa.
- Ordering several tapas is a fun way to eat.
- My favourite tapa is patatas bravas.
- We spent the evening tapa-hopping in the old quarter.
- The concept of a tapa originated as a cover for drinks.
- Each region of Spain has its own speciality tapas.
- Anthropologists have studied tapa cloth production in Polynesia for decades.
- The gastro-bar has deconstructed the traditional tapa into a modernist culinary experience.
- Tapa culture embodies the Spanish ethos of sociability and leisurely dining.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think TAPA: Take A Plate Appetizer.
Conceptual Metaphor
FOOD IS CULTURE / A MEAL IS A JOURNEY (tapa hopping)
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with Russian 'тапки' (slippers).
- Not equivalent to 'закуска' in all contexts—specifically Spanish style.
- Remember singular/plural: tapa (one) / tapas (many).
Common Mistakes
- Using 'tapa' as plural (incorrect: 'two tapa' -> correct: 'two tapas').
- Capitalizing unnecessarily unless starting a sentence.
- Confusing with similar-sounding words like 'tape' or 'tap'.
Practice
Quiz
What is the most common modern meaning of 'tapa' in international English?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. A tapa is specifically a small Spanish dish, often eaten with drinks, sometimes replacing a meal if many are shared, whereas a starter is typically the first course of a sit-down meal.
Yes, informally, especially in phrases like 'to tapa-hop' meaning to go from bar to bar eating tapas.
A tapa is a small plate of food, often served free with a drink in some regions. A 'pincho' or 'pintxo' (in Basque country) is usually a small snack served on a piece of bread and skewered with a toothpick.
In British English: /ˈtæpə/ (TAP-uh). In American English: /ˈtɑːpə/ (TAH-puh). Both approximate the Spanish original.