noun

la bata

robe

Prenda de vestir suelta que se usa para cubrir la ropa, a menudo en casa o en el trabajo, como en hospitales o laboratorios.

Definition & meaning

Bata has two main uses in Spanish:

A noun: a robe, gown, or smock
- It usually refers to a loose garment worn at home, over pajamas, or for work.
- Depending on context, it can mean:
  - a dressing gown or housecoat: bata de casa
  - a bathrobe: bata de baño
  - a lab coat or protective smock: bata de laboratorio
  - a school or work smock.
Example: Se puso la bata al levantarse.
“She put on her robe after getting up.”
A verb form of batir (to beat, whisk, strike, or mix)
- Bata can be the formal command meaning “beat/whisk”:
  - Bata los huevos. — “Beat the eggs.”
- It can also be the present subjunctive:
  - Es importante que bata bien la mezcla. — “It is important that he/she beat the mixture well.”

Grammar & Word origin

As a noun, bata is feminine:

la bata — the robe or gown
una bata — a robe
las batas — robes

As a verb, bata comes from batir . It may be:

the formal singular imperative: bata usted
the present subjunctive for yo, él, ella, or usted: que yo/él/ella/usted bata

The noun bata is generally considered to have entered Spanish through French, probably from ouate or a related term referring to padded clothing. Its exact historical origin is uncertain.

Synonyms & antonyms

For bata meaning “robe” or “gown”

Possible synonyms include:

albornoz — usually a bathrobe, often thicker and more absorbent than a typical bata.
bata de casa — specifically a housecoat or dressing gown.
túnica — a loose garment, but more general and not necessarily worn as a robe.
guardapolvo — a protective smock or coat, especially for work or school.

There is no exact antonym for this meaning. Depending on the context, contrasting expressions may be ropa de calle (“street clothes”) or ropa formal (“formal clothing”).

For bata meaning “beat” or “whisk”

Depending on the context, related words include:

mezcle — “mix,” emphasizing combining ingredients.
agite — “shake” or “agitate.”
revuelva — “stir,” usually with a spoon or utensil.
golpee — “strike” or “hit,” when batir refers to hitting rather than cooking.