Origins of the Chabacano Sapa

The Chabacano sapa might have its roots either from the Spanish zafar or the Portuguese safar. Here is how these words are defined in WordReference.com:

Zafar(se): to get or wriggle out of something, to come undone
Safar: to escape

In Chabacano, this is how we use the word sapa.

Chabacano: Ya sapa el tornillo del bicicleta.
English: The screw was separated from the bike. (Literally) OR The bike's screw got loose.

Chabacano: Ta sapa ya el cortina.
English: The curtain is getting loose already.

Aside from something getting physically separated or loose from something, the word sapa can also be used like so in Chabacano:

Chabacano: Ayer lang ya sapa el mio calentura.
English: My fever wore off just yesterday.

Chabacano: Hinde pa ba siempre ta sapa ese tuyo custipao?
English: Are you still nursing a cold? 

If we're going to analyze the sentences above, it sounds like the Chabacano sapa has more in common with the Spanish zafar. Although, I don't speak Portuguese, so I really won't be able to tell. 😜

Here is a grammar note for people learning Chabacano out there. You can substitute the word quita with hace sapa. This doesn't work all the time though. Here are some examples:

Chabacano: Quita conel rueda.
Chabacano: Hace sapa conel rueda.
English: Remove the wheels.