tapar

to cover

tapar(tah-pahr)

transitive verb

1. (to cover up)

a. to cover

Tapa la olla ligeramente para que se escape el vapor.

Cover the pan slightly to allow steam to escape.

b. to block

¿Puedes poner la sombrilla allí para que tape el sol?

Can you put the umbrella there so that it blocks the sun?

c. to hide

En lugar de recoger su cuarto, tapó su mugrero debajo de una cobija.

Instead of tidying his room, he hid his mess under a blanket.

d. to fill

Deben tapar los baches en la calle antes de pavimentarla de nuevo.

They need to fill the potholes in the street before they repave it.

e. to wrap up

Mi vecina tapa a sus nietos aún cuando hace mucho calor afuera.

My neighbor wraps up her grandchildren even when it's really hot outside.

2. (to close)

a. to put the lid on

Tapa el ketchup antes de ponerlo en la nevera.

Put the lid on the ketchup before putting it in the fridge.

b. to put the top on

No se te olvide tapar tu termo.

Don't forget to put the top on your thermos.

3. (to obstruct)

a. to block

La camioneta parada tapó por completo la salida del túnel.

The broken-down truck completely blocked the exit of the tunnel.

4. (to conceal)

a. to cover up

Ricardo tapó la verdad para que Carmen no se metiera en problemas.

Ricardo covered up the truth so Carmen wouldn't get in trouble.

5. (dentistry)

(Mexico)

(South America)

a. to fill

La dentista tapó mis caries con resina.

The dentist filled my cavities with resin.

taparse

reflexive verb

6. (to cover yourself)

a. to cover up

Tápate; ¡está haciendo frío afuera!

Cover up; it's cold outside!

b. to wrap up

Me tapé con una toalla esponjosa al salir de la ducha.

I wrapped myself up in a fluffy towel when I got out of the shower.

c. to cover

Se tapó los oídos cuando sus hermanos empezaron a gritar.

He covered his ears when his brothers started to yell.

pronominal verb

7. (to become obstructed)

a. to get blocked up

Se me taparon los oídos porque estoy resfriada.

My ears got blocked up because I've got a cold.