Spanish word

zapatilla

Pronunciation

IPA/θapaˈtiʝa/

Meaning

  • feminine nounsneaker

Example

¿Dónde compraste tus zapatillas nuevas?

Where did you buy your new sneakers?

Illustration for zapatilla (sneaker)

More examples

¿Puedes atarte las zapatillas antes de salir?

Can you tie your sneakers before going out?

Core concept

Comfortable everyday shoe for walking or exercise with a rubber sole.

Common phrases

  • zapatillas blancas

    white sneakers

  • zapatillas de lona

    canvas sneakers

  • atarse las zapatillas

    tie your sneakers

Similar words

tenis: Sport-focused sneaker designed for running or training, emphasizing support and traction.
zapato: Closed shoe covering heel and toe with a firmer sole, suited for work or dressier use.
calzado: General term for any kind of footwear, including shoes, boots, sandals, and slippers.

Definition in Spanish

Calzado informal y ligero, pensado para la actividad física o para el uso diario, generalmente con suela de goma.

Word origin

Derived from zapato plus the suffix -illa, originally indicating a smaller or softer shoe and later used for athletic and informal footwear.

Usage tips

  • When buying or describing shoes, specify zapatillas deportivas for sports shoes, zapatillas de ballet for ballet shoes, or zapatillas de casa for slippers to avoid confusion.

Other meanings

  • slippernoun
  • ballet shoenoun

Word lists with this word