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QUICK ANSWER
"Clases" is a form of "clase", a noun which is often translated as "class". "Tipos" is a form of "tipo", a noun which is often translated as "type". Learn more about the difference between "clases" and "tipos" below.
la clase(
klah
-
seh
)A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
1. (course)
b. lesson
Silvia se gana la vida dando clases particulares de alemán.Silvia earns her living teaching private German lessons.
c. lecture (in college)
¿A qué hora empieza la clase de álgebra?What time does the algebra lecture start?
d. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Yo regreso a mi pueblo cuando acaban las clases y empiezan las vacaciones de verano.I return to my hometown when school is over and the summer break starts.
Te veo después de las clases.I'll see you after class.
2. (room)
a. school
El lunes que viene no hay clase porque es fiesta.Next Monday we don't have school because it's a holiday.
5. (type)
6. (category)
7. (transport)
8. (refinement)
9. (sociology)
el tipo, la tipa(
tee
-
poh
)A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
1. (class)
a. type
El tipo de cebo que necesitas depende del tipo de pez que quieras pescar.The type of bait you need depends on the type of fish you want to catch.
2. (economics)
a. rate
Se espera que se reducirá el tipo de cambio del dólar con el peso.The dollar exchange rate against the peso is expected to decline.
3. (physique)
4. (typography)
a. font
Mi maestra exige que todos los trabajos sean en letra tipo Arial.My teacher requires all assignments to be written in Arial font.
This means that the noun can be masculine or feminine, depending on the gender of the noun it refers to (e.g., el doctor, la doctora).
6. (colloquial) (person)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
a. guy (colloquial) (masculine)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Un tipo en el metro estaba tocando el violín hoy.Some guy in the subway was playing a violin today.
b. dude (colloquial) (masculine) (United States)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in the United States
¿Viste los tipos con los sombrerotes?Did you see those dudes with the big hats?
c. bloke (colloquial) (masculine) (United Kingdom)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
Es un tipo desgraciado, amigo.He's a dirty bloke, mate.
d. chick (colloquial) (feminine)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
¿Conoces a esa tipa que te está saludando?Do you know that chick who's waving to you?
An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
7. (similar to)
a. typical
El joven profesional tipo alquila apartamento en vez de comprar casa.The typical young professional rents an apartment rather than buy a home.
An adverb is a word that describes a verb, an adjective, or other adverbs (e.g., to run quickly, very tired).
9. (colloquial) (used as a filler) (Argentina) (Mexico) (Uruguay)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in Argentina
Regionalism used in Mexico
Regionalism used in Uruguay
a. I mean
Siempre llegas tarde. Tipo, ponte las pilas o tu jefe te va a echar.You're always arriving late. I mean, get your act together, or your boss's going to fire you.
b. like
No me gusta nuestra nueva compañera para nada. Se cree tipo la chava más sensacional del mundo.I don't like our new classmate at all. She thinks she's like the most gorgeous chick in the world.
c. for example
Tengo que comprarme algo para la boda de Gina, tipo un vestido de seda o algo así.I need to buy me something for Gina's wedding, for example a silk dress or something.
