Tapar

[DailyWord]

This is a discussion thread for the Daily Spanish Word for January 11, 2010

tapar (verb) — to cover, hide, veil, stop, block, cement. Look up tapar in the dictionary

Cuando llega el invierno, tapo mis plantas con una sábana, para que no se quemen con el frío.
When winter comes I cover my plants with a sheet so they won't get frostbitten.

El contador de la empresa tapa los robos del gerente, manipulando los números.
The firm's bookkeeper conceals the manager's theft by manipulating the numbers.

Las mujeres del Medio Oriente tapan su rostro.
Women in the Middle East cover their faces.

Taparon el pozo la semana pasada.
The well was cemented over last week.

No vayas por la avenida, porque está tapada.
Don't use the main avenue because it's blocked.

Esta crema no tapa los poros.
This cream doesn't clog your pores.

Tápate bien, que hace mucho frío.
Wear warm clothes because it's really cold out.

[laepelba]

Originally Posted by DailyWord

Las mujeres del Medio Oriente tapan su rostro.
Women in the Middle East cover their faces.

Two questions about this particular example:
1) Why "su" and not "el"? I thought that the indefinite article is to be used for body parts, and not the personal possessive. "The face..." instead of "her/their face..." ???
2) Why singular? Why not "las mujeres del Medio Oriente tapan sus/los rostros"?

Another question about the word "tapar". Is it similar in meaning to "ocultar"? What are the subtleties in differences in their meanings and usages?

[chileno]

Originally Posted by laepelba

Two questions about this particular example:
1) Why "su" and not "el"? I thought that the indefinite article is to be used for body parts, and not the personal possessive. "The face..." instead of "her/their face..." ???
2) Why singular? Why not "las mujeres del Medio Oriente tapan sus/los rostros"?

Another question about the word "tapar". Is it similar in meaning to "ocultar"? What are the subtleties in differences in their meanings and usages?

Remember the table I did. There you'll find your asnwer.

[pjt33]

Originally Posted by DailyWord

No vayas por la avenida, porque está tapada.
Don't use the main avenue because it's blocked.

¿Éste es un regionalismo? Aquí oígo más "cortada" (o "tancat", pero eso es valencià ).

Originally Posted by laepelba

Another question about the word "tapar". Is it similar in meaning to "ocultar"? What are the subtleties in differences in their meanings and usages?

I think of "tapar" primarily as "to cover", "to put a lid on", or "to plug".

[laepelba]

Originally Posted by Perikles

I think there is an overlap between them, but ocultar can also mean to conceal:

tras esa sonrisa se oculta una mala intención

whereas tapar just means to cover up physically.

Edit: if you wanted to cover your car up to protect it from rain and dust, you would use tapar. If you wanted to hide it from thieves, you would use ocultar

That last part helped me with the subtle difference. Thanks!

Originally Posted by laepelba

Two questions about this particular example:
1) Why "su" and not "el"? I thought that the indefinite article is to be used for body parts, and not the personal possessive. "The face..." instead of "her/their face..." ???
2) Why singular? Why not "las mujeres del Medio Oriente tapan sus/los rostros"?

How about my other questions?

(By the way, I don't necessarily agree with your "" for Crotalito's sentences... Sorry. )

[Perikles]

Originally Posted by laepelba

(By the way, I don't necessarily agree with your "" for Crotalito's sentences... Sorry. )

I really don't mind - what's the problem?

As for your other questions, which I thought were very good ones, I'm waiting for a Spanish speaker to answer.

[laepelba]

Originally Posted by Perikles

I really don't mind - what's the problem?

See my corrections (two above yours)....

[Perikles]

Originally Posted by laepelba

See my corrections (two above yours)....

Hey you're right - I never noticed the missing it. But I've never heard that use of out.

[CrOtALiTo]

I didn't know that the word Cover means tapar.

Then can I say this.

I covered my car because was raining.

I cover my juice because there are a lot dust in the street.


I will appreciate the support gave here in the forums.

Please you correcting me if you have time.

[laepelba]

Originally Posted by CrOtALiTo

I didn't know that the word Cover means tapar.

Then can I say this.

I covered my car because it was raining (out). (The "out" is optional, but is something you'd hear quite often.)

I cover my juice because there is a lot of dust in the street.


I will appreciate the support given here in the forums.

Please you correcting me if you have time.

Corrections in red.

Originally Posted by pjt33

I think of "tapar" primarily as "to cover", "to put a lid on", or "to plug".

And how about ocultar?