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canasta

ka-NAHS-tah/kaˈnasta/

basket

Also: hamper
NounfA1
Latin AmericaSpain
A woven wicker basket with a handle sitting on a wooden table.

📝 In Action

Llevamos una canasta con frutas al campo.

A1

We took a basket of fruit to the countryside.

Pon la ropa sucia en la canasta, por favor.

A1

Put the dirty clothes in the basket, please.

Las canastas de mimbre son muy resistentes.

B1

Wicker baskets are very sturdy.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • cesta (basket)
  • canasto (large basket)

Common Collocations

  • canasta de mimbre – wicker basket
  • canasta de picnic – picnic basket
  • canasta de pan – bread basket

Idioms & Expressions

  • poner los huevos en la misma canasta – to risk everything on a single plan

hoop, basket

NounfA2
A basketball hoop with a red rim and a white net attached to a backboard.

📝 In Action

El jugador lanzó el balón a la canasta.

A2

The player threw the ball at the hoop.

¡Esa fue una canasta de tres puntos!

B1

That was a three-point basket!

Necesitamos una canasta nueva para el jardín.

A2

We need a new basketball hoop for the garden.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • aro (rim/ring)
  • enceste (scoring a basket)

Common Collocations

  • tiro a la canasta – shot at the basket
  • hacer una canasta – to score a basket

basket of goods

NounfB1
A basket filled with various groceries like bread, milk, and fruit.

📝 In Action

El gobierno anunció cambios en la canasta básica.

B2

The government announced changes to the basic basket of goods.

La canasta familiar incluye alimentos y servicios.

B1

The family basket includes food and services.

Word Connections

Common Collocations

  • canasta básica – basic necessities/staple goods
  • canasta familiar – family budget basket

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "canasta" in Spanish:

basket→hamper→hoop→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: canasta

Question 1 of 3

If you are playing basketball and score points, what did you just make?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
canasto(large basket) — Noun
canastilla(baby's first set of clothes/basket) — Noun
canastero(basket maker) — Noun
encanastar(to put in a basket / to score in basketball) — Verb
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

Derived from the Latin word 'canistrum', which originally referred to a wicker basket used for bread or offerings. This traces back even further to the Greek 'kanastron'.

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: canisterPortuguese: canastra

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between 'canasta' and 'cesta'?

They both mean 'basket'. 'Cesta' is more common in Spain, while 'canasta' is preferred in Latin America. In sports, 'canasta' is the universal term for the hoop.

Is 'Canasta' also a card game?

Yes! Canasta is a famous card game of the rummy family that originated in Uruguay and became very popular worldwide.

Can I use 'canasta' for a laundry hamper?

Yes, although 'canasto' (the masculine version) is often used for laundry hampers because they are usually larger and deeper.