Cette page dans ta langue

English

فارسی

العربية

Deutsch

Español

日本語

한국어

Português

中文

हिन्दी

B1 noun 11 min de lecture

escaparate

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces escaparate en 30 secondes

Explication escaparate in your Level:

At the A1 level, you only need to know that 'escaparate' is the word for a shop window. When you walk in a city, you see many 'escaparates'. You can use it in simple sentences like 'El escaparate es grande' (The shop window is big) or 'Miro el escaparate' (I look at the shop window). It is a masculine noun, so remember to use 'el' or 'un'. It is a useful word for basic shopping conversations and for describing a street. You don't need to worry about metaphorical meanings yet; just focus on the physical object you see when you go to buy clothes or food. If you are learning Spanish for a trip, knowing this word helps you identify stores and talk about things you see while walking.

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour lire l'explication complète

At the A2 level, you can start using 'escaparate' with more verbs and adjectives. You might describe what is inside: 'En el escaparate hay zapatos rojos' (In the shop window, there are red shoes). You can also use the common phrase 'mirar escaparates' to talk about the hobby of window shopping. At this level, you should be able to distinguish between 'la ventana' of a house and 'el escaparate' of a shop. You can also use prepositions like 'delante del escaparate' (in front of the shop window). Understanding this word helps you follow directions like 'La tienda con el escaparate verde' (The shop with the green window display).

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour lire l'explication complète

At the B1 level, you should be comfortable using 'escaparate' in both literal and slightly more abstract contexts. You can discuss the importance of a good 'escaparate' for a business. You might use it in the past tense to describe a trip: 'Me paré ante un escaparate precioso en Sevilla' (I stopped before a beautiful shop window in Seville). You are also introduced to the idea of the 'escaparate' as a showcase for things like a festival or a fair. You should know related words like 'escaparatista' (window dresser) and understand that the 'escaparate' is part of the marketing strategy of a store. Your vocabulary is expanding to include how things are 'montados' (set up) in the window.

At the B2 level, you use 'escaparate' fluently in metaphorical ways. You might read articles about how social media is an 'escaparate' for personal branding. You understand the nuances of 'escaparatismo' as a professional field. You can participate in debates about consumerism where the 'escaparate' represents the temptation of the market. You are expected to use the word correctly in complex sentence structures, such as 'Si no fuera por el llamativo escaparate, nunca habría entrado en esa tienda' (If it weren't for the eye-catching shop window, I would have never entered that store). You also recognize regional variations like 'vidriera' without confusion.

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour lire l'explication complète

At the C1 level, you use 'escaparate' with precision and stylistic flair. You can analyze the 'escaparate' as a semiotic element in urban sociology—how it reflects the values and aesthetics of a society. You use it in formal writing to describe political or corporate 'showcases'. You might use phrases like 'servir de escaparate' or 'ser un mero escaparate' (to be a mere facade/showcase). You understand the historical evolution of the word and can discuss its impact on urban architecture. Your use of the word is no longer just about shopping; it is about visibility, public image, and the philosophy of display.

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour lire l'explication complète

At the C2 level, you have a masterly command of 'escaparate'. You can use it in literary analysis, identifying it as a motif in 19th-century realist novels or modern critiques of capitalism. You understand all its idiomatic uses and can play with the word in puns or sophisticated metaphors. You can discuss the technical aspects of 'escaparatismo' at an expert level or use the term in high-level business strategy meetings to refer to 'market positioning'. The word is a versatile tool in your linguistic arsenal, used to describe everything from a literal pane of glass to the complex psychological 'front' that individuals and nations present to the world.

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour lire l'explication complète

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

escaparate en 30 secondes

A shop window used to display goods to passersby.
A masculine noun: 'el escaparate'.
Metaphorically means a 'showcase' or 'platform' for visibility.
Commonly used in the phrase 'mirar escaparates' (window shopping).

The Spanish word escaparate is a masculine noun that primarily refers to a shop window—the large glass pane at the front of a retail establishment where goods are displayed to attract customers. While the English term 'window' is broad, Spanish distinguishes between a standard window in a house or building (ventana) and the specialized display window of a store (escaparate). In the world of commerce, the escaparate is the first point of contact between the brand and the pedestrian, serving as a silent salesperson that communicates style, price, and brand identity.

Physical Context: In a literal sense, it is the glass structure. You will hear it used when people are walking down a commercial street like the Gran Vía in Madrid or Calle Florida in Buenos Aires. If someone stops to look at a dress, they are looking at the escaparate.
Metaphorical Context: Metaphorically, an escaparate is any situation or platform that serves to showcase something or someone to the public. For instance, a prestigious film festival is described as an 'escaparate para nuevos talentos' (a showcase for new talent). It implies visibility and public scrutiny.

Me quedé embobado mirando el escaparate de la pastelería durante diez minutos.

Historically, the concept of the escaparate evolved with the industrial revolution and the mass production of plate glass. Before this, shops were often dark or had small openings. The arrival of the 'escaparate' transformed cities into galleries of consumerism. In modern digital Spanish, you might even hear the term 'escaparate virtual' to refer to a website's landing page or an Instagram feed, highlighting how the concept of 'displaying for the purpose of attraction' has transitioned into the digital age.

Esa feria de arte es el mejor escaparate para los pintores noveles.

The role of the 'escaparatista' (window dresser) is highly regarded in fashion hubs like Barcelona. They treat the escaparate as a canvas, using lighting, mannequins, and props to tell a story. Understanding this word helps you navigate the urban landscape of any Spanish-speaking city, as it is a central pillar of the 'paseo' (the traditional walk). Whether you are discussing retail marketing or simply pointing out a beautiful display of 'jamón' in a Spanish deli, 'escaparate' is the precise term you need.

El escaparate de la tienda de antigüedades estaba lleno de polvo.

Regional Variation: While 'escaparate' is universally understood, in countries like Argentina, Uruguay, or Chile, you are very likely to hear the word 'vidriera'. In Mexico, 'vitrina' is often used interchangeably, though 'escaparate' remains the formal standard for a street-facing window.

Los manifestantes rompieron el escaparate de la joyería.

No podemos permitir que nuestra empresa sea solo un escaparate sin contenido real.

Using escaparate correctly involves understanding its grammatical gender and the verbs that typically accompany it. As a masculine noun, it always takes the articles el, un, los, or unos. In sentences, it usually functions as the direct object of verbs related to sight or maintenance.

Common Verbs: 1. Mirar: To look at. 'Mirar escaparates' is the standard way to say window shopping.
2. Montar/Decorar: To set up or decorate. 'El empleado está montando el escaparate de otoño.'
3. Limpiar: To clean. 'Es necesario limpiar el escaparate todas las mañanas.'

Vimos un reloj precioso en el escaparate de la esquina.

When using the word figuratively, the structure often follows 'ser un escaparate de' (to be a showcase of). This is common in journalistic writing. For example: 'La ciudad se convirtió en un escaparate de la modernidad' (The city became a showcase of modernity). Here, 'escaparate' emphasizes that the city is being viewed and judged by others based on its outward appearance.

El político usó la entrevista como un escaparate para sus nuevas propuestas.

In plural form, escaparates is used to describe the general commercial vibe of an area. 'Los escaparates de París son famosos por su elegancia.' It can also be used with adjectives like llamativo (eye-catching), austero (austere), or recargado (cluttered). When describing the action of window shopping, you can also use the verb vitrinear in several Latin American countries, although 'mirar escaparates' remains universally understood.

¿Te apetece ir al centro a mirar escaparates?

Prepositional Usage: - **A través del escaparate**: Through the window.
- **Frente al escaparate**: In front of the window.
- **Desde el escaparate**: From the window (e.g., looking out from inside).

El reflejo del sol en el escaparate me deslumbró.

Finally, consider the nuances of 'escaparate' in business Spanish. It is often used in terms like 'escaparatismo' (the art of window dressing) and 'escaparatista' (the professional). If you are studying marketing in Spanish, you will frequently encounter 'la gestión del escaparate' as a key part of visual merchandising strategies. It is not just a piece of glass; it is a strategic tool.

Un buen escaparate puede aumentar las ventas un veinte por ciento.

The word escaparate is omnipresent in urban Spanish life. You will hear it in casual conversations between friends, in specialized design circles, and in media reports. It is one of those words that bridges the gap between everyday physical reality and high-level abstract concepts.

On the Street: Imagine you are walking with a friend. They might say, '¡Mira ese escaparate! Tienen las botas que quería.' (Look at that shop window! They have the boots I wanted). It is the standard term used in any retail context, from high-end boutiques to the local 'panadería'.
In the News: News anchors often use the word figuratively. During an international event like the Olympic Games or a World Fair, they might say, 'Este evento es el escaparate perfecto para mostrar nuestra cultura al mundo.' (This event is the perfect showcase to show our culture to the world).

La televisión sigue siendo el gran escaparate publicitario.

In the workplace, particularly in sales or fashion, 'escaparatismo' is a common topic of discussion. A manager might tell an employee, 'Necesitamos renovar el escaparate para la temporada de rebajas.' (We need to update the window display for the sales season). In this context, it refers to the entire presentation, not just the glass.

El diseño del escaparate es fundamental para atraer clientes.

You will also find the word in literature and film. Authors use the 'escaparate' as a symbol of desire, class divide, or the superficiality of modern life. A character might stare at an 'escaparate' containing items they cannot afford, serving as a poignant metaphor for their social standing. In movies, a scene of a couple window shopping is a classic trope to show intimacy or shared dreams.

Vimos la lluvia caer desde el otro lado del escaparate.

Social media has recently adopted the term 'escaparate' to describe the curated versions of lives people present online. An influencer's profile is often called their 'escaparate', where everything is perfectly staged and lit. This modern usage reinforces the idea that an 'escaparate' is a controlled, public-facing image designed to impress.

Cuidado con las redes sociales, son solo un escaparate de la realidad.

Specific Locations: - **Zonas peatonales**: Pedestrian zones where shop windows are the main attraction.
- **Centros comerciales**: Shopping malls where every store competes via its 'escaparate'.
- **Ferias de muestras**: Trade fairs where booths act as temporary 'escaparates'.

El escaparate de la librería era una obra de arte literaria.

Learning escaparate is usually straightforward, but English speakers and beginner Spanish students often fall into a few specific traps. The most common errors involve word choice, gender, and regional confusion.

Mistake 1: Using 'Ventana' instead of 'Escaparate': In English, 'window' covers everything. In Spanish, if you say 'La tienda tiene una ventana bonita', it sounds like you are talking about a window on the second floor where the owner lives. To refer to the display window, you MUST use 'escaparate'.
Mistake 2: Gender Confusion: Because 'escaparate' ends in 'e', some learners assume it is feminine (*la escaparate*). It is masculine: el escaparate. This affects all accompanying adjectives: 'un escaparate pequeño', not 'una escaparate pequeña'.

Incorrecto: Me gusta esa ventana de la tienda de ropa.

Correcto: Me gusta ese escaparate de la tienda de ropa.

Another common mistake is confusing escaparate with estante (shelf) or mostrador (counter). While they are all part of a shop, they serve different functions. The 'escaparate' is what you see from the street; the 'mostrador' is where you pay; and the 'estante' is where the stock is kept inside the store.

In terms of regionalisms, if you are in Argentina and you insist on using 'escaparate', people will understand you, but you might sound overly formal or like a textbook. Using 'vidriera' is much more natural there. Conversely, using 'vidriera' in Spain might sound slightly archaic or overly specific to the glass itself rather than the display.

No confundas el escaparate con el mostrador; uno es para mirar y otro para pagar.

Finally, avoid using 'escaparate' for a computer window. That is always 'ventana'. If you are browsing the web and want to talk about the 'window' on your screen, stick to 'ventana'. Using 'escaparate' there would be a very strange error, as it implies a physical glass display for retail goods.

Cierra la ventana del navegador (Not escaparate).

Summary of Errors: - **Gender**: It is 'el', not 'la'.
- **Context**: Storefront only, not house windows.
- **Digital**: Use 'ventana' for software windows.
- **Furniture**: Use 'vitrina' for an indoor display cabinet.

While escaparate is the most common term for a shop window, Spanish offers several synonyms and related terms that provide more specific nuances depending on the context and the country.

Vitrina vs. Escaparate: A vitrina is usually an internal display case or a glass cabinet inside a store or a museum. While an 'escaparate' faces the street to lure people in, a 'vitrina' protects and displays items once they are already inside. However, in some Latin American countries, 'vitrina' is used for the shop window itself.
Vidriera: This is the preferred term in Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay. It comes from 'vidrio' (glass). If you are 'window shopping' in Buenos Aires, you are 'mirando vidrieras'. In Spain, 'vidriera' usually refers to a stained-glass window in a church.
Expositor: An expositor is a stand or a display rack. It is often smaller than an 'escaparate' and can be located anywhere in the store, like a cardboard stand for books or a revolving rack for sunglasses.

El museo tiene las joyas en una vitrina de seguridad.

In a more metaphorical sense, if you want to say 'showcase' or 'platform', you can use plataforma or vitrina. For example, 'El festival es una vitrina para el cine independiente.' This is very common in journalism. 'Escaparate' is also used this way, but 'vitrina' sounds slightly more elegant in certain intellectual contexts.

La feria del libro es el gran escaparate de las editoriales.

For the action of displaying, you have verbs like exhibir (to exhibit) and exponer (to expose/display). A shop 'exhibe' its products in the 'escaparate'. If you are talking about the physical glass itself without the display context, you might just say 'el cristal' (the glass) or 'la luna' (a large pane of glass, commonly used in Spain for shop windows or car windshields).

Tuvieron que cambiar la luna del escaparate porque se agrietó.

Quick Reference Guide: - **Shop Window**: Escaparate (Spain/General), Vidriera (Rioplatense).
- **Inside Display Case**: Vitrina.
- **Display Stand**: Expositor.
- **Large Pane of Glass**: Luna.
- **Metaphorical Showcase**: Escaparate / Vitrina.

El expositor de folletos estaba vacío.

How Formal Is It?

Le savais-tu ?

Although it sounds like 'escapar' (to escape), they are not directly related in meaning. 'Escapar' comes from 'ex-cappa' (out of the cloak). 'Escaparate' is all about the shelf!

Guide de prononciation

UK /es.ka.pa.ˈɾa.te/

US /es.kɑ.pɑ.ˈɾɑ.teɪ/

The stress is on the penultimate syllable: es-ka-pa-RA-te.

Rime avec

disparate escaparate mate combate debate rescate tomate chocolate

Erreurs fréquentes

Pronouncing the initial 'e' like 'ee'. It should be 'eh'.
Using the English 'r' sound. It must be a Spanish single-tap 'r'.
Adding an 's' sound before the 'e' (e.g., 'sescaparate').
Stressing the last syllable.
Making the 'p' sound too aspirated (keep it dry).

Niveau de difficulté

Lecture 2/5

Easy to recognize in context once learned.

Écriture 3/5

Spelling is regular but 'p' and 'r' placement can be tricky for some.

Expression orale 3/5

Requires correct stress and the Spanish 'r'.

Écoute 2/5

Clear pronunciation usually makes it easy to hear.

Quoi apprendre ensuite

Prérequis

tienda ventana mirar vidrio calle

Apprends ensuite

escaparatismo vitrina mostrador rebajas maniquí

Avancé

merchandising visual estética urbana marketing de guerrilla

Grammaire à connaître

Gender of nouns ending in -e

El escaparate (masculine), unlike la calle (feminine).

Adjective agreement

Un escaparate *luminoso*.

Preposition 'de' for possession

El escaparate *de la* tienda.

Verb 'mirar' without a preposition

Mirar el escaparate (not mirar a el escaparate).

Pluralization adding -s

Escaparate -> Escaparates.

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour lire l'explication complète

Exemples par niveau

El escaparate es muy bonito.

The shop window is very pretty.

Masculine singular noun.

Miro el escaparate de la tienda.

I look at the shop window of the store.

Direct object with 'el'.

Hay pan en el escaparate.

There is bread in the shop window.

Preposition 'en' indicates location.

Un escaparate grande.

A big shop window.

Adjective agreement (masculine).

Me gusta ese escaparate.

I like that shop window.

Demonstrative adjective 'ese'.

Los escaparates tienen luces.

The shop windows have lights.

Plural form 'los escaparates'.

La ropa está en el escaparate.

The clothes are in the shop window.

Verb 'estar' for location.

Es un escaparate de juguetes.

It is a toy shop window.

Noun + de + noun.

Ayer fuimos a mirar escaparates al centro.

Yesterday we went window shopping downtown.

Past tense 'fuimos'.

El escaparate está sucio y hay que limpiarlo.

The shop window is dirty and needs to be cleaned.

Infinitive 'limpiar' with object pronoun 'lo'.

Vimos unos zapatos rojos en el escaparate.

We saw some red shoes in the shop window.

Indefinite article 'unos'.

El escaparate de esa librería es muy original.

The shop window of that bookstore is very original.

Possessive 'de esa'.

No toques el cristal del escaparate.

Don't touch the glass of the shop window.

Negative imperative 'no toques'.

Hay muchas ofertas en el escaparate.

There are many offers in the shop window.

Quantifier 'muchas'.

Prefiero mirar el escaparate antes de entrar.

I prefer to look at the shop window before going in.

Infinitive after 'antes de'.

El escaparate tiene mucha luz por la noche.

The shop window has a lot of light at night.

Noun 'luz' as object.

El escaparatista cambió la decoración del escaparate.

The window dresser changed the decoration of the shop window.

Job title 'escaparatista'.

Este festival es un gran escaparate para los artistas locales.

This festival is a great showcase for local artists.

Figurative use as 'showcase'.

Me llamó la atención el escaparate de la pastelería.

The bakery's shop window caught my attention.

Idiomatic 'llamar la atención'.

Siempre se queda parado frente al escaparate de tecnología.

He always stops in front of the technology shop window.

Prepositional phrase 'frente al'.

El escaparate refleja toda la calle.

The shop window reflects the whole street.

Verb 'reflejar'.

Han puesto un escaparate virtual en la entrada.

They have put a virtual display at the entrance.

Modern compound 'escaparate virtual'.

Es importante que el escaparate sea atractivo.

It is important that the shop window is attractive.

Subjunctive 'sea' after 'es importante que'.

El escaparate de Navidad de esa tienda es famoso.

That store's Christmas window display is famous.

Specific context 'de Navidad'.

La empresa utiliza su sede como escaparate de sus valores.

The company uses its headquarters as a showcase of its values.

Abstract usage.

A través del escaparate, pude ver el caos que había dentro.

Through the shop window, I could see the chaos inside.

Preposition 'a través de'.

El diseño del escaparate debe renovarse cada temporada.

The design of the shop window must be renewed every season.

Passive reflexive 'renovarse'.

Muchos consideran las redes sociales un escaparate de vidas perfectas.

Many consider social media a showcase of perfect lives.

Metaphorical social context.

El escaparate estaba tan bien iluminado que destacaba en la oscuridad.

The shop window was so well lit that it stood out in the dark.

Adverbial 'tan... que'.

No te dejes engañar por el escaparate; el interior es muy distinto.

Don't be fooled by the shop window; the interior is very different.

Imperative 'no te dejes'.

La feria de muestras es el mejor escaparate para exportar.

The trade fair is the best showcase for exporting.

Superlative 'el mejor'.

El cristal del escaparate es blindado por seguridad.

The glass of the shop window is armored for security.

Adjective 'blindado'.

La ciudad se ha convertido en un escaparate del turismo de masas.

The city has become a showcase for mass tourism.

Complex metaphorical structure.

El escaparate político oculta a menudo las carencias del sistema.

The political showcase often hides the deficiencies of the system.

Political metaphor.

Su comportamiento en público no es más que un escaparate cuidadosamente planeado.

His public behavior is nothing more than a carefully planned showcase.

Phrase 'no es más que'.

La elegancia del escaparate contrastaba con la decadencia del barrio.

The elegance of the shop window contrasted with the decadence of the neighborhood.

Verb 'contrastar con'.

El escaparatismo ha evolucionado hacia una forma de arte efímero.

Window dressing has evolved into a form of ephemeral art.

Abstract noun 'escaparatismo'.

Se limitaron a limpiar el escaparate sin reformar el negocio.

They limited themselves to cleaning the shop window without reforming the business.

Reflexive 'se limitaron'.

La revista sirve de escaparate para las últimas tendencias europeas.

The magazine serves as a showcase for the latest European trends.

Phrase 'servir de escaparate'.

El impacto visual del escaparate es el primer paso en el embudo de ventas.

The visual impact of the shop window is the first step in the sales funnel.

Technical business terminology.

El escaparate, como frontera entre lo privado y lo público, define la estética urbana.

The shop window, as a border between the private and the public, defines urban aesthetics.

Philosophical apposition.

Su vida es un escaparate vacío, carente de cualquier profundidad emocional.

Their life is an empty showcase, lacking any emotional depth.

Literary metaphor.

La ostentación del escaparate resulta obscena en tiempos de crisis.

The ostentation of the shop window is obscene in times of crisis.

Advanced vocabulary 'ostentación'.

El proyecto no es sino un escaparate para atraer inversores desprevenidos.

The project is but a showcase to attract unsuspecting investors.

Structure 'no es sino'.

Analizamos el escaparate no como objeto, sino como discurso publicitario.

We analyze the shop window not as an object, but as an advertising discourse.

Contrastive structure 'no... sino'.

La transparencia del escaparate es, paradójicamente, una barrera infranqueable.

The transparency of the shop window is, paradoxically, an insurmountable barrier.

Paradoxical statement.

El escaparate de la modernidad se resquebraja ante las nuevas realidades sociales.

The showcase of modernity is cracking before new social realities.

Metaphorical verb 'resquebrajarse'.

Subyace tras el escaparate una compleja red de logística y producción.

Behind the shop window lies a complex network of logistics and production.

Hyperbaton (inverted word order).

Collocations courantes

mirar escaparates

escaparate virtual

montar un escaparate

escaparate llamativo

a través del escaparate

escaparate de lujo

limpiar el escaparate

escaparate político

diseño de escaparates

frente al escaparate

Phrases Courantes

Ir de escaparates

— To go window shopping. It implies walking around to see what is in the stores.

Vamos de escaparates para ver qué se lleva este año.

Ser un escaparate

— To be a showcase or a public display. Often used for events or platforms.

Esta feria es un escaparate para nuestra marca.

Quedarse en el escaparate

— To only look at the surface or the outward appearance of something.

No te quedes en el escaparate, conoce a la persona de verdad.

Vivir en un escaparate

— To live in the public eye where everyone can see you. Common for celebrities.

Los famosos a veces sienten que viven en un escaparate.

Romper el escaparate

— Literally to break the window, but often used in news about riots or accidents.

El coche perdió el control y rompió el escaparate.

Renovar el escaparate

— To update the display. Used in business contexts.

Es hora de renovar el escaparate para las rebajas.

Detrás del escaparate

— Behind the shop window. Refers to the space inside the store.

Había un gato durmiendo detrás del escaparate.

Escaparate de ventas

— A sales display or a specific area focused on conversion.

El escaparate de ventas debe ser muy directo.

Mirar a través del escaparate

— To look through the glass.

Miré a través del escaparate pero la tienda estaba cerrada.

El gran escaparate

— Often refers to television or the internet as a major advertising platform.

Internet es hoy el gran escaparate del mundo.

Souvent confondu avec

escaparate vs ventana

Ventana is for houses; escaparate is for shops.

escaparate vs vitrina

Vitrina is usually an indoor cabinet; escaparate faces the street.

escaparate vs estante

Estante is a shelf inside; escaparate is the whole window display.

Expressions idiomatiques

"Ser todo escaparate"

— To be all show and no substance. Used for people or things that look good but are empty inside.

Ese tipo es todo escaparate, no tiene ni un euro.

Informal

"Estar en el escaparate"

— To be available for sale or to be in a position where one is being judged or observed.

Ahora que es soltero, vuelve a estar en el escaparate.

Colloquial

"Hacer escaparate"

— To show off or to make a display of something to impress others.

No hace falta que hagas escaparate de tu coche nuevo.

Neutral

"Un escaparate de cartón piedra"

— Something that looks impressive but is actually fake or flimsy.

Su éxito es un escaparate de cartón piedra.

Metaphorical

"Servir de escaparate"

— To act as a platform for visibility.

Este blog sirve de escaparate para mis poemas.

Neutral

"Poner en el escaparate"

— To highlight or promote something prominently.

El entrenador ha puesto en el escaparate a los jugadores jóvenes.

Sporting/Neutral

"No pasar del escaparate"

— To not get past the initial appearance or surface level.

Su amistad nunca pasó del escaparate.

Metaphorical

"El escaparate de la infamia"

— A public display of something shameful (literary).

Aquel juicio fue el escaparate de la infamia del régimen.

Formal/Literary

"Vender por el escaparate"

— To rely solely on visual attraction to make a sale.

Esa tienda vende mucho por el escaparate, pero la calidad es mala.

Neutral

"Escaparate de sueños"

— A poetic way to describe something that inspires desire or hope.

La librería era para él un escaparate de sueños.

Literary

Facile à confondre

escaparate vs vidriera

Synonym in Latin America.

In Spain, 'vidriera' is usually a stained-glass window in a church.

La vidriera de la catedral es gótica.

escaparate vs aparador

Related to display.

An 'aparador' is a piece of furniture (sideboard) used for dishes in a dining room.

Guarda los platos en el aparador.

escaparate vs mostrador

Shop environment.

The 'mostrador' is the counter inside where transactions happen.

Pagamos en el mostrador.

escaparate vs expositor

Display function.

An 'expositor' is a smaller, often portable stand or rack.

El expositor de gafas está roto.

escaparate vs cristalera

Large glass area.

A 'cristalera' is a large glass wall or window set, often in a balcony or office.

La oficina tiene una gran cristalera.

Structures de phrases

El escaparate es [adjective].

El escaparate es grande.

Hay [noun] en el escaparate.

Hay vestidos en el escaparate.

Me gusta mirar el escaparate de [store type].

Me gusta mirar el escaparate de la pastelería.

[Verb] a través del escaparate.

Miramos a través del escaparate.

El escaparate sirve como [noun].

El escaparate sirve como publicidad.

Es un escaparate para [action/group].

Es un escaparate para mostrar el arte.

No es más que un escaparate de [abstract noun].

No es más que un escaparate de vanidad.

Bajo la apariencia del escaparate, subyace...

Bajo la apariencia del escaparate, subyace la crisis.

Famille de mots

Noms

escaparatismo (window dressing art)

escaparatista (window dresser)

escape (escape - distantly related)

Verbes

escaparatear (colloquial: to window shop - rare)

escapar (to escape - distantly related)

Adjectifs

escaparatístico (related to window dressing)

Apparenté

vitrina

vidriera

tienda

comercio

cristal

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour voir tous les exemples

Comment l'utiliser

frequency

High in urban and commercial contexts.

Erreurs courantes

La escaparate → El escaparate
It is a masculine noun despite ending in -e.
Mirar a los escaparates → Mirar los escaparates
The verb 'mirar' takes a direct object without 'a' (unless it's a person).
La ventana de la tienda → El escaparate
Using 'ventana' for a shop display window sounds unnatural and non-native.
Vivir en una escaparate → Vivir en un escaparate
Gender error in a common metaphorical phrase.
El escaparate del ordenador → La ventana del ordenador
Using 'escaparate' for digital windows is incorrect.

Astuces

Storefront terminology

Learn 'escaparate' along with 'letrero' (sign) and 'puerta' (door) to describe any shop you see.

Remember the gender

Think of 'El Escaparate' as a masculine stage where products perform. 'El' is your friend here.

Spain's Big Sales

During 'Las Rebajas', look for the word 'escaparate' in news headlines about shopping frenzies.

Metaphorical use

Use 'escaparate' when talking about a platform that gives visibility, like 'LinkedIn es un escaparate profesional'.

The 'R' sound

The 'r' in escaparate is soft. Don't roll it like 'perro'; tap it like in 'pero'.

Spelling check

It has three 'a's. E-sc-A-p-A-r-A-te. It's very rhythmic once you get it.

Traveling to Argentina?

Switch to 'vidriera' to sound like a local, but 'escaparate' will still be understood.

Marketing terms

'Escaparatismo' is a great word to use if you work in retail or design.

Look for the 'E'

Most shop windows in Spain are at 'eye level', and 'escaparate' starts with 'E' for 'Eye'.

Appearance vs Reality

Use 'es puro escaparate' to describe someone who is flashy but lacks depth.

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Think of a 'CAPE' being displayed on a 'RATE' (shelf) in a shop window. ES-CAPE-A-RATE. Or, imagine you want to 'ESCAPE' into the 'RATE' (shop) after seeing the window.

Association visuelle

Visualize a giant glass box on a street with a bright neon sign inside. The glass is the 'escaparate'.

Word Web

tienda cristal maniquí luz calle compras publicidad mirar

Défi

Go for a walk and count how many 'escaparates' you find attractive. Describe one in Spanish: 'El escaparate de la tienda de... tiene...'

Origine du mot

From the Dutch word 'schap' (shelf, board), which entered Spanish through the French 'échafaud' (scaffold/platform) or directly from Flemish 'schapprade'.

Sens originel : It originally referred to a cabinet, cupboard, or a piece of furniture with shelves to display things inside a house.

Germanic (Dutch) -> Romance (Spanish).

Contexte culturel

No specific sensitivities, though in very poor areas, 'escaparates' of luxury goods can be seen as symbols of inequality.

Equivalent to 'shop window' or 'storefront'. In the US, 'window shopping' is the activity; in Spanish, it's 'mirar escaparates'.

The film 'Breakfast at Tiffany's' (Desayuno con diamantes) features a famous scene at an escaparate. The paintings of Antonio López García often capture the light of Madrid's escaparates. The novel 'La tienda de los horrores'.

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

Shopping

¿Viste el escaparate?
Tienen rebajas en el escaparate.
Me gusta ese maniquí del escaparate.
Vamos a mirar escaparates.

Business/Marketing

Diseño de escaparates.
El escaparate es nuestra imagen.
Atraer clientes con el escaparate.
Presupuesto para el escaparate.

Urban Life

Caminando por los escaparates.
Luces de los escaparates.
Reflejo en el escaparate.
Escaparates de la avenida.

Figurative/Social

La televisión es un escaparate.
No seas solo escaparate.
Un escaparate para el mundo.
Vivir en un escaparate.

Accidents/News

Se rompió el escaparate.
Escaparate destrozado.
Limpiando el escaparate.
Seguro del escaparate.

Amorces de conversation

"¿Te gusta mirar escaparates cuando vas al centro?"

"¿Cuál es el escaparate más bonito que has visto nunca?"

"¿Crees que los escaparates virtuales sustituirán a los físicos?"

"¿Alguna vez te has parado frente a un escaparate solo para ver el reflejo?"

"¿Qué tipo de tiendas suelen tener los mejores escaparates en tu ciudad?"

Sujets d'écriture

Describe un escaparate que te haya llamado la atención recientemente. ¿Qué había dentro?

Escribe sobre la idea de que las redes sociales son un 'escaparate' de nuestras vidas.

Si tuvieras una tienda, ¿cómo decorarías tu escaparate para atraer a la gente?

¿Prefieres comprar online o mirar los escaparates de las tiendas físicas? ¿Por qué?

Imagina que eres un escaparatista. Describe tu proceso de trabajo para una tienda de libros.

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

Es masculino: 'el escaparate'. Aunque termina en 'e', sigue la regla de muchos sustantivos masculinos en español. Siempre debes decir 'un escaparate' o 'el escaparate'.

Una 'ventana' es una abertura en una pared para luz y aire, generalmente en casas. Un 'escaparate' es específicamente el ventanal de una tienda donde se exhiben productos. No se dice 'la ventana de la tienda' para referirse a la exhibición.

La forma más común es 'mirar escaparates' o 'ir de escaparates'. En algunos países de Latinoamérica también se usa el verbo 'vitrinear'.

No, para el software se usa siempre 'ventana'. 'Escaparate' solo se refiere a exhibiciones físicas o metafóricas (como un 'escaparate de talento').

Es el profesional que se encarga de diseñar y montar la decoración de los escaparates para atraer a los clientes. Es una profesión dentro del marketing visual.

Principalmente en el Cono Sur: Argentina, Uruguay y Paraguay. En el resto del mundo hispanohablante, 'escaparate' es lo más común.

Sí, cuando se usa figuradamente para decir que algo es 'puro escaparate', significa que es solo apariencia y no tiene contenido o valor real detrás.

Se puede decir simplemente 'el escaparate' o, de forma más técnica, 'la decoración del escaparate'.

Viene del neerlandés 'schap', que significa estante. Pasó al español a través del francés o directamente por el comercio en Flandes.

Sí, se usa la metáfora 'escaparate virtual' para referirse a la página principal de una web o a un perfil de redes sociales que muestra productos o servicios.

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour les astuces et notes