ropa as singular or plural

Question

In the phrase "I have to buy new clothes," the words "new clothes" is often translated as "ropa nueva." Would "ropas nuevas" (since clothes is plural) be considered proper also? Or is just the singular "ropa" to indicate clothes considered correct?

Answer 1

Although the word in plural exists, I cannot think a single sentence where I would use it. I'd have to think very hard to find one where it would not sound odd, and still the ones I can think would also work with the word in singular.

For example: "Las ropas que se usan en danzas folclóricas varian según el tipo de música y la región."

Still, the sentence in singular sounds as correct as the previous one: "La ropa que se usa en danzas folclóricas varia según el tipo de música y la región."

Answer 2

Maybe "la ropa" is like "fish" in English in that most of the time, only singular form is used to represent singular or plural.

Answer 3

I'm going to ask the RAE, since "ropas" is not registered on its dictionary.

Answer 4

That totally makes sense. Thanks.

Answer 5

I hear it as a collective noun (thus singular)= "clothes".

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It's in the SpanishDict dict