vaso vs. taza
What is the difference between vaso and taza. It seems a lot of paper cups or cups at water cooler are called vasos and a ceramic cup is a taza. Is this a regional preference?
4 Answers
In Mexico, Taza is cup, Vaso is glass, and the two are not mixed. Bowl is Tazón or Cuenco.
The only time I have ever heard bowl call Taza is when someone is talking about a toilet bowl.
Wine glass must be specified as Vaso de Vino and smaller glasses for alcohol are Copas.
Bearing in mind that my American wife generally calls almost anything that will hold liquid a "cup" I'm not too sure that there's any big difference in Spanish either ..... but, I agree with indisidnaray that mostly a "vaso" is a "glass" and a 'taza" was originally a bowl that grew a handle on the side and became a cup. The French still drink morning coffee out of a bowl with two little handles that stick out sideways from the top. How you then cope with my pewter beer mugs (like I said "cups" to my wife) is a mystery to me.
PS I don't often drink out of paper or plastic thingies.
Vaso is more commonly used with glasses like wine glasses and paper cups. You're right about the water cooler thing. I agree with what you say about taza, I believe taza can also refer to a bowl.
Ok, a 2010 question, im late to the game for my 2 cents, but here goes.
I am still learning, but from what I have seen in rosetta stone, it seems Taza is used for cups with handles, such as those for hot liquids like coffee and tea, where as those containers used for cold liquids and no handles are vaso, regardless if they are made of paper, glass, plastic or what ever.
