vs
QUICK ANSWER
"Toga" is a noun which is often translated as "toga", and "birrete" is a noun which is often translated as "cap". Learn more about the difference between "toga" and "birrete" below.
la toga(
toh
-
gah
)A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
1. (clothing)
a. toga
El senador romano se quitó la toga y se metió en el baño.The Roman senator took off his toga and entered the bath.
b. gown
El día de su graduación, los alumnos tenían puestas togas violetas.The students wore purple gowns at their graduation.
c. robe
Los jueces británicos todavía suelen vestirse con togas y usan pelucas.British judges still wear robes and wigs.
a. hair wrap
La peluquera me secó el cabello y me hizo una toga.The hairdresser dried my hair and put it in a hair wrap.
el birrete(
bee
-
rreh
-
teh
)A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
1. (legal)
a. cap
En los actos solemnes en España, los jueces llevan birrete, no peluca.At formal ceremonies in Spain, judges wear a cap, not a wig.
b. judge's cap
La tradición dicta que el birrete tenga forma hexagonal.Tradition dictates that the judge's cap should be a hexagonal shape.
2. (education)
a. mortarboard
Al final de la graduación, los estudiantes americanos lanzaron sus birretes al aire.At the end of the graduation ceremony, the American students threw their mortarboards in the air.
3. (religious)
a. biretta
Los birretes de los cardenales son siempre de color rojo.Cardinals' birettas are always red.
