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cartucho

kar-TOO-cho/kaɾˈtut͡ʃo/

ink cartridge

Also: toner
NounmA2
A small plastic black ink cartridge for a printer on a white background.

📝 In Action

La impresora se quedó sin cartucho de tinta negra.

A2

The printer ran out of black ink cartridge.

¿Sabes dónde puedo comprar cartuchos baratos?

A2

Do you know where I can buy cheap cartridges?

He instalado un cartucho nuevo y todavía no imprime.

B1

I have installed a new cartridge and it still doesn't print.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • tóner (toner)
  • recambio (refill/replacement)

Common Collocations

  • cartucho de tinta – ink cartridge
  • cambiar el cartucho – to change the cartridge

cartridge

Also: shell
NounmB2
A single metallic brass bullet casing with a pointed tip.

📝 In Action

La policía encontró varios cartuchos vacíos en la escena.

B2

The police found several empty cartridges at the scene.

Esta escopeta utiliza cartuchos de calibre doce.

C1

This shotgun uses twelve-gauge shells.

No nos quedan muchos cartuchos, hay que ahorrar munición.

B2

We don't have many cartridges left; we must save ammunition.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • munición (ammunition)
  • bala (bullet)

Common Collocations

  • cartucho de dinamita – stick of dynamite
  • cartucho de escopeta – shotgun shell

Idioms & Expressions

  • quemar el último cartucho – To make one last desperate attempt or use your last resource.

paper cone

NounmB1
A cone made of brown craft paper filled with roasted peanuts.

📝 In Action

Me compré un cartucho de castañas asadas.

B1

I bought myself a paper cone of roasted chestnuts.

El vendedor servía los churros en un cartucho de papel.

B2

The vendor served the churros in a paper cone.

Dame un cartucho de pipas, por favor.

B1

Give me a paper bag of sunflower seeds, please.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • cucurucho (cone/paper cone)

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "cartucho" in Spanish:

cartridge→ink cartridge→paper cone→shell→toner→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: cartucho

Question 1 of 3

If you are at an office supply store, what are you likely looking for if you ask for a 'cartucho'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
cartuchera(holster or pencil case) — Noun
encartuchar(to put in a cartridge/cone) — Verb
🎵 Rhymes▼
muchoescuchoserrucho
📚 Etymology▼

From the Italian word 'cartoccio', which comes from 'carta' (paper). It originally described paper rolled into a tube or cone to hold gunpowder or food.

First recorded: 16th century

Cognates (Related words)

French: cartoucheEnglish: cartridge

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'cartucho' used for video games?

Yes! Especially for retro consoles like the Nintendo NES or Game Boy, the game hardware itself is called a 'cartucho'.

What is the feminine form of 'cartucho'?

There isn't a direct feminine version of the object, but 'cartuchera' is a related feminine noun that means a holster for a gun or, in some countries, a pencil case for school.

Can I use 'cartucho' for a coffee pod (like Nespresso)?

Usually, those are called 'cápsulas' (capsules), not 'cartuchos'.