This is the 10166th most frequent Catalan word.
patata
Potato.
In this sentence, 'patata' is used in its literal and common meaning, referring to the vegetable.
Vaig menjar una patata torrada per dinar.
I ate a roasted potato for lunch.
Here, 'patates' is the plural form of 'patata,' referring to the ingredient used in the soup.
Hem fet una sopa amb patates, pastanagues i ceba.
We made a soup with potatoes, carrots, and onion.
In this case, 'patates' metaphorically refers to nonsensical or meaningless things someone might say.