arca
“arca” means “chest” in Spanish. It has 3 different meanings depending on context:
chest
Also: trunk, coffer
📝 In Action
Guardamos las sábanas viejas en el arca de madera.
A2We keep the old sheets in the wooden chest.
El pirata escondió el oro en un arca pesada.
B1The pirate hid the gold in a heavy chest.
Es un arca antigua que perteneció a mi bisabuela.
B1It is an ancient trunk that belonged to my great-grandmother.
ark
📝 In Action
Noé construyó un arca para salvar a los animales.
A2Noah built an ark to save the animals.
El Arca de la Alianza es un objeto sagrado.
B1The Ark of the Covenant is a sacred object.
Los arqueólogos buscaron el arca perdida.
B2The archaeologists searched for the lost ark.
coffers, treasury
Also: public funds
📝 In Action
La crisis vació las arcas del Estado.
B2The crisis emptied the state coffers.
El gobierno anunció nuevas medidas para llenar las arcas públicas.
C1The government announced new measures to fill the public coffers.
El dinero de los impuestos va directo a las arcas municipales.
C1The tax money goes directly to the municipal coffers.
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✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: arca
Question 1 of 3
Which of these is the correct way to say 'the old chest'?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
From the Latin word 'arca', which meant a chest, a box, or a place to keep something safe. It shares roots with the word 'arcere', meaning 'to shut up' or 'to keep away'.
First recorded: 12th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'arca' masculine or feminine?
It is a feminine noun. However, we use the masculine article 'el' in the singular to avoid the 'a-a' clash (el arca). In the plural, it returns to 'las arcas'.
Can I use 'arca' for a regular suitcase?
Not usually. For a suitcase, use 'maleta'. For a travel trunk, 'baúl' is better. 'Arca' usually refers to a furniture-style wooden chest or a metaphorical treasury.
What is the difference between 'arca' and 'cofre'?
They are very similar. An 'arca' is typically larger and made of wood (like a storage chest), while a 'cofre' is often smaller and associated with jewelry or treasure.