etapa

stage

noun eh-TAH-pah Less Common

Also means

phase, leg (of a journey)

Usage Note

Etapa denotes a stage or phase in a process, journey, or competition (la primera etapa del proyecto = 'the first stage of the project'). It is also the standard term for a stage in cycling races like the Tour de France. The phrase por etapas means 'in stages'. Do not confuse with fase (also 'phase', more technical) — etapa is more common in everyday Spanish.

Examples

"La tercera etapa del Tour fue muy dura."

Natural Translation

The third stage of the Tour was very tough.

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