patata

In a sentence

• Vaig menjar una patata torrada per dinar.

  I ate a roasted potato for lunch.

  In this sentence, 'patata' is used in its literal and common meaning, referring to the vegetable.

• Hem fet una sopa amb patates, pastanagues i ceba.

  We made a soup with potatoes, carrots, and onion.

  Here, 'patates' is the plural form of 'patata,' referring to the ingredient used in the soup.

• Quan parla sense pensar, de vegades diu patates.

  When he speaks without thinking, sometimes he says nonsense.

  In this case, 'patates' metaphorically refers to nonsensical or meaningless things someone might say.