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"Vara" is a form of "vara", a noun which is often translated as "stick". "Lata" is a form of "lata", a noun which is often translated as "can". Learn more about the difference between "vara" and "lata" below.
la vara(
bah
-
rah
)A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
1. (pole)
2. (botany)
a. staff
Durante la ceremonia el alcalde debe sostener la vara en las manos.The mayor has to hold his staff during the ceremony.
a. vara
Una vara equivale a casi una yarda.A vara is approximately one yard.
Necesito dos varas de esa tela.I need two varas of that fabric.
5. (standard)
a. yardstick
Son dos cosas distintas y no pueden medirse con la misma vara.They're two different things and cannot be measured with the same yardstick.
a. lance
El picador arremetió contra el toro utilizando su vara.The picador charged against the bull using his lance.
a. slide
Es al mover la vara del trombón cuando se generan los distintos sonidos.It is by moving the trombone's slide that the different sounds are generated.
8. (sports)
a. pole
Los saltadores llevaron varias varas a la competencia.The jumpers took many poles to the competition.
a. connections
Hay que tener vara para entrar en una universidad tan prestigiosa.You need connections to get into such a prestigious university.
la lata(
lah
-
tah
)A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
1. (container)
a. can
Vamos a necesitar tres latas de frijoles para la cena de esta noche.We're going to need three cans of beans for tonight's dinner.
b. tin (United Kingdom)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
¿Tienes una lata de sardinas?Do you have a tin of sardines?
2. (metal)
3. (colloquial) (bother)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
a. pain (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Hacer informes de impuestos es una lata.Doing tax reports is a pain.
b. drag (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Estudiar es una lata. ¿No puedo seguir jugando un rato más?Studying is a drag. Can't I keep playing a little while longer?
d. bore
Odio tener que lavar los platos. ¡Es una lata!I hate having to do the dishes. It's such a bore!
a. food
La lata que sirvieron en la cafetería sabía asquerosa.The food served in the cafeteria tasted awful.
