Chapa

[DailyWord]

This is a discussion thread for the Daily Spanish Word for November 7, 2009

chapa (feminine noun (la)) — lock, door handle, plate, sheet, board, panel. Look up chapa in the dictionary

La llave se atoró en la puerta y tuvimos que desarmar la chapa.
The key got stuck in the door and we had to take the lock apart.

[Tomisimo]

Note that chapa meaning lock is strictly LAm usage.

[chileno]

Wouldn't chapa mean veneer also?

[Elaina]

so is there a difference between

---- chapa and chapear -----

Is chapa a derivative a chapear or vice versa?

[chileno]

Originally Posted by Elaina

so is there a difference between

---- chapa and chapear -----

Is chapa a derivative de chapear or vice versa?

Sí.

Chapar-Enchapar-Chapear.

Es poner una capa, cubierta y no me cabría duda que también se ocupa para referirse a una cerradura de puerta. (porque ya no me acuerdo)

Hay que enchapar la puerta - Hay que chapear la puerta

Cubrirla con una capa o ponerle una cerradura.

[EmpanadaRica]

Out of curiosity, with respect to sheet, would 'chapa' be a sheet to cover furniture or a bed e.g. or would it be a sheet of paper? (or both?).

[irmamar]

Originally Posted by EmpanadaRica

Out of curiosity, with respect to sheet, would 'chapa' be a sheet to cover furniture or a bed e.g. or would it be a sheet of paper? (or both?).

Your first option. Chapa can't be a sheet of paper (una hoja de papel)

[chileno]

Originally Posted by EmpanadaRica

Out of curiosity, with respect to sheet, would 'chapa' be a sheet to cover furniture or a bed e.g. or would it be a sheet of paper? (or both?).

Originally Posted by irmamar

Your first option. Chapa can't be a sheet of paper (una hoja de papel)

But not a clothing sheet..

[EmpanadaRica]

Originally Posted by chileno

But not a clothing sheet..

Thnx Irma and Chili.

Hmm ok what kind of sheet then? Like a sheet to cover a car or something like this?

[irmamar]

Originally Posted by EmpanadaRica

Thnx Irma and Chili.

Hmm ok what kind of sheet then? Like a sheet to cover a car or something like this?

I'd say "una chapa de madera (though here I'd say "panel" for a wall), de aluminio, de acero,..." to cover a door, a wall, a furniture, ... There is also "la chapa del coche" and the people who repaire it are called "chapistas" (Talleres TTT, expecialistas en chapa y pintura)