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"La capa" is a form of "capa", a noun which is often translated as "layer". "El abrigo" is a form of "abrigo", a noun which is often translated as "coat". Learn more about the difference between "la capa" and "el abrigo" below.
la capa(
kah
-
pah
)
A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
feminine noun
a. layer
Puse una capa gruesa de salsa de chocolate sobre mi helado.I put a thick layer of chocolate sauce on my ice cream.
a. sector
Las capas sociales más marginadas no albergan grandes esperanzas para el futuro.The most marginalized social sectors do not have high hopes for the future.
a. cape
El torero provocaba el toro con su capa.The bullfighter taunted the bull with his cape.
b. cloak
El señor Smedley se puso la capa y salió caminando a la noche.Lord Smedley put on his cloak and walked out into the night.
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el abrigo(
ah
-
bree
-
goh
)
A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
masculine noun
a. coat
¡Ese abrigo te queda bien!You look good in that coat!
a. shelter
El iglú sirve como abrigo en un paisaje nevado.An igloo serves as a shelter in a snowy landscape.
a.
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
no direct translation
¿Tienes abrigo suficiente?Are you bundled up enough?
¡Hace un frío del demonio! El bebé necesitará más abrigo.It's freezing cold! The baby will need more layers.
a.
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
no direct translation
Samu no puede vivir siempre al abrigo de sus padres.Samu can't always live his life relying on his parents to take care of him.
El grupo político pegó carteles por toda la ciudad al abrigo de la noche.The political group put up posters around the whole city under the cover of darkness.
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