Usage Note
Zapato is the neutral term for a closed shoe (as opposed to a sandal, sandalia, or a boot, bota). The diminutive zapatilla means a sneaker or slipper — one of the most common words in everyday speech. A shoe shop is a zapatería and a shoemaker is a zapatero. Meter la pata is the idiom for putting your foot in it, not a zapato expression.
Examples
"Me compré unos zapatos negros para la boda."
Natural Translation
I bought some black shoes for the wedding.
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