tapas
C1Informal
Definition
Meaning
A Spanish style of eating featuring a variety of small savory dishes, typically served with drinks at a bar.
Any collection of small, shareable appetizers or dishes, regardless of cuisine, presented in a style reminiscent of the Spanish tradition.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word is plural in form and typically used with a plural verb (e.g., 'The tapas are delicious'), though it can be treated as a singular mass noun when referring to the concept (e.g., 'Tapas is a popular dining style'). The singular form 'tapa' is rarely used in English outside of specific linguistic contexts.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
More commonly encountered and understood in the UK due to closer cultural and geographical ties to Spain. In the US, it is well-known in foodie circles and larger cities but may be less familiar in some regions.
Connotations
In the UK, it strongly connotes a casual, social dining experience often linked to holidays in Spain. In the US, it can have a slightly more 'trendy' or 'upscale' culinary connotation.
Frequency
Higher frequency in UK English; moderate and increasing in US English.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
We had [NP tapas] for dinner.Let's go to a [NP tapas bar].They serve [NP excellent tapas].Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Go for tapas”
- “A tapas crawl (visiting multiple bars)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare, except in hospitality/tourism contexts (e.g., 'The restaurant's tapas concept boosted revenue.').
Academic
Used in cultural, anthropological, or culinary studies discussing Spanish foodways.
Everyday
Common in social planning and dining discussions (e.g., 'Shall we get tapas tonight?').
Technical
Used in culinary arts and restaurant management.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- We're tapas-ing our way through Barcelona this weekend.
American English
- They decided to tapas for dinner instead of having a heavy meal.
adjective
British English
- It's a great tapas restaurant with a lively atmosphere.
American English
- The tapas-style service made the meal more interactive.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- We ate tapas in Spain.
- Let's go to a Spanish restaurant and share some tapas.
- The new tapas bar offers a modern twist on traditional dishes like patatas bravas and gambas al ajillo.
- Embarking on a tapas crawl through the winding streets of Seville is an essential gastro-cultural experience.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'Tapas are TOP-AS... the top assortment of small dishes.'
Conceptual Metaphor
SOCIALIZING IS SHARING FOOD (e.g., 'We bonded over a table full of tapas.').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not translate as 'закуски' (zakuski) which implies a different, Russian-specific context of drinking snacks.
- The cultural concept of moving from bar to bar ('ir de tapas') has no direct equivalent.
Common Mistakes
- Using a singular verb (incorrect: 'Tapas is on the menu.' – acceptable only when referring to the concept).
- Referring to a single item as 'a tapas' (correct: 'a tapa' or 'a tapas dish').
- Confusing 'tapas' with 'buffet' (tapas are ordered, not self-served).
Practice
Quiz
What is the most typical way to enjoy tapas?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is grammatically plural in English ('The tapas are good'), though it can be used as a singular mass noun when referring to the concept ('Tapas is fun').
Pinchos (or pintxos) are a subset of tapas, typically small snacks served on a piece of bread and held together with a toothpick.
Tipping customs follow local practice (UK/US). The style of service (often multiple small orders) doesn't inherently change tipping etiquette.
Yes, the term has been borrowed to describe any menu or style featuring small, shareable plates, e.g., 'Asian fusion tapas.'