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"Chapa" is a form of "chapa", a noun which is often translated as "sheet". "Plancha" is a form of "plancha", a noun which is often translated as "iron". Learn more about the difference between "chapa" and "plancha" 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 plancha(
plahn
-
chah
)A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
a. iron
Usa la plancha para quitarle las arrugas a tu blusa.Use the iron to take the creases out of your blouse.
2. (culinary)
a. griddle
La plancha nueva no necesita aceite para hacer la carne.The new griddle doesn't need oil to cook meat on it.
a. ironing
La plancha me quita un par de horas todos los sábados.I spend a couple of hours ironing every Saturday.
a. sheet
Vamos a poner una plancha de acero en el tejado antes de que llueva.We are going to put a steel sheet on the roof before it rains.
a. plate
El museo expone planchas de imprenta de madera de la Edad Media.The museum exhibits wooden print plates from the Middle Ages.
6. (colloquial) (mistake) (Latin America)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
b. boob (colloquial) (United Kingdom)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
Esa es la última vez que cometo una plancha así en un examen.That is the last time I make a boob like that on a test.
a. hair straightener
Solo usa la plancha si es una ocasión especial.I only use my hair straightener if it's a special occasion.
a. plank
¿Ya aprendieron a hacer la plancha en clase?Have you learned how to do a plank in class yet?
