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"Chapa" is a noun which is often translated as "sheet", and "lámina" is a noun which is also often translated as "sheet". Learn more about the difference between "chapa" and "lámina" below.
la chapa(
chah
-
pah
)A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
1. (material)
a. sheet
Las mesas del laboratorio están recubiertas de chapas de acero inoxidable.The workbenches in the lab are covered with sheets of stainless steel.
b. plate (piece of metal)
Taparon el bache temporalmente con una chapa de hierro.They covered the pothole temporarily with an iron sheet.
c. panel (flat piece of wood)
Vamos a construir un biombo con chapas de madera.We're going to build a screen with wood panels.
d. veneer (thin layer of wood or plastic)
Los muebles están hechos de pino, pero gracias a la chapa parecen de caoba.The furniture is made of pine, but thanks to the veneer it looks like mahogany.
2. (automobile)
a. bodywork
Después del choque, Juan tuvo que llevar el coche al taller para hacerle chapa y pintura.After the crash, Juan had to take the car to the shop for bodywork and respraying.
3. (insignia)
a. badge
El policía presentó su chapa y pidió permiso para registrar la casa.The police officer presented his badge and asked for permission to search the house.
4. (decoration)
a. badge
Raúl ha ganado una docena de chapas con la tropa de los scouts.Raul has earned a dozen badges with his scout troop.
5. (bottle lid)
6. (door fastener) (Latin America)
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
a. lock
El ladrón forzó la chapa y robó la televisión.The burglar forced the lock and stole the television.
a. license plate (United States)
Regionalism used in the United States
¿Anotaste la chapa del coche que tumbó la lámpara?Did you write down the license plate of the car that knocked the streetlight down?
b. number plate (United Kingdom)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
Pagó una buena cantidad por una chapa personalizada para el coche nuevo.He paid a hefty sum for a personalized number plate for his new car.
8. (slang) (prostitution)
A very informal word or phrase used by a particular group or community as a substitute for standard language (e.g., joint, john).
a. trick (slang)
A very informal word or phrase used by a particular group or community as a substitute for standard language (e.g., joint, john).
La pobre estaba pasando una mala racha y se vio obligada a hacer chapas para vivir.The poor thing was down on her luck and was forced to turn tricks for a living.
las chapas
A plural noun indicates that there is more than one person, place, thing, or idea.
9. (game)
a. game with bottle tops
Los niños están jugando a las chapas en el patio de recreo.The children are playing a game with bottle tops on the playground.
la lámina(
lah
-
mee
-
nah
)A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
a. sheet
Se utilizaron láminas de acero en la construcción del techo.Steel sheets were used in the construction of the roof.
Suzie colocó una lámina de papel aluminio arriba de la tarta para que no se quemara.Suzie placed a sheet of aluminum foil over her pie to keep it from burning.
c. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
El chocolate está recubierto con una lámina de oro comestible.The chocolate is covered with edible gold leaf.
La estatua no es de plata sino que está recubierta con una lámina de plata.The statue is silver-plated rather than silver.
2. (printing)
a. plate (metal plate)
Ya está lista la lámina con el diseño para estampar.The plate with the design on it is now ready to be used for printing.
3. (drawing)
a. illustration (picture in book)
El libro contiene láminas para colorear.The book has illustrations in it for coloring in.
b. plate (book illustration on quality paper)
El libro tiene 30 láminas a todo color y diez en blanco y negro.The book has 30 full-color plates and ten black-and-white ones.
c. print (copy of a picture)
En el museo, se venden cuadros y láminas.Pictures and prints are sold at the museum.
