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cubo

koo-boˈku.βo

“cubo” means “bucket” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

bucket, pail

Also: bin
NounmA2
A bright red plastic bucket with a silver metal handle, sitting on a patch of green grass.

📝 In Action

Por favor, saca el cubo de basura, está lleno.

A2

Please take out the trash bin, it is full.

Necesito un cubo de agua para limpiar el suelo.

A1

I need a bucket of water to clean the floor.

Los niños hicieron castillos de arena con sus cubos en la playa.

A2

The children made sandcastles with their pails at the beach.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • balde (pail (common in Latin America))
  • tina (tub, basin)

Common Collocations

  • cubo de basura – trash can / waste bin
  • cubo de fregar – mop bucket

cube, die

Also: third power
NounmB1
A perfectly formed yellow three-dimensional geometric cube floating in a plain setting.

📝 In Action

El volumen de un cubo se calcula elevando la longitud de su lado al cubo.

B1

The volume of a cube is calculated by raising the length of its side to the third power.

Este rompecabezas es un cubo mágico de colores.

B2

This puzzle is a magical colored cube (like a Rubik’s Cube).

Tres al cubo es veintisiete (3³ = 27).

B1

Three cubed is twenty-seven.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • dado (die (game piece))
  • hexaedro (hexahedron (technical term for a six-sided figure))

Common Collocations

  • cubo de Rubik – Rubik's Cube
  • al cubo – cubed / to the power of three

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "cubo" in Spanish:

bin→bucket→cube→die→pail→third power→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: cubo

Question 1 of 1

Which sentence uses 'cubo' in its geometric or mathematical sense?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
cúbico(cubic) — Adjective
cubeta(small bucket, ice tray) — Noun
cubismo(Cubism (art movement)) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

The word 'cubo' comes from the Latin word *cubus*, which itself came from the Greek word *kýbos*, meaning 'a die' (like a six-sided dice used in games). The meaning related to the container (bucket/pail) developed later, likely from the similar shape of early wooden tubs or vessels.

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

Italian: cuboFrench: cube

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if 'cubo' means 'bucket' or 'cube'?

The context is usually clear! If you see 'cubo de basura' (trash) or 'cubo de agua' (water), it means 'bucket/bin.' If you see it used with math, puzzles, or shapes (like 'cubo de Rubik' or 'al cubo'), it means the geometric 'cube.'

Is 'balde' the same as 'cubo'?

Yes, they both mean 'bucket' or 'pail.' 'Cubo' is more common across Spain, while 'balde' is the preferred word in many parts of Latin America.