tapa

lid

noun TAH-pah Rare

Also means

small snack

Usage Note

Tapa literally means a lid or cover (la tapa de la olla = the pot lid). Its more famous meaning is the small portion of food served with a drink in Spanish bars — a tradition especially strong in Andalusia and Madrid. The plural tapas has entered English as a loanword for this bar-snack culture.

Examples

"Pedimos tapas variadas para compartir."

Natural Translation

We ordered assorted tapas to share.

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