Inklingo

How to Say "box" in Spanish

English → Spanish

caja

/KA-ha//ˈkaxa/

nounA1general
Use 'caja' for a general container, often made of cardboard or wood, used for storage or transport.
A plain, brown, rectangular cardboard box sitting on a wooden floor.

Examples

Guardé mis juguetes en una caja grande.

I stored my toys in a big box.

Puse los libros viejos en una caja de cartón.

I put the old books in a cardboard box.

Mi gata le encanta dormir dentro de las cajas.

My cat loves to sleep inside boxes.

¿Puedes traerme una caja de leche del supermercado?

Can you bring me a carton of milk from the supermarket?

Always Feminine: 'La Caja'

Remember that 'caja' is a feminine word, so you always use 'la' or 'una' with it. For example, 'la caja grande' (the big box), not 'el caja grande'.

'Caja' vs. 'Cajón'

Mistake: “Puse mis calcetines en la caja.”

Correction: Puse mis calcetines en el cajón. Use 'caja' for a separate, movable box and 'cajón' for a drawer that's part of a piece of furniture like a dresser.

paquete

pah-KEH-teh/paˈkete/

nounA1general
Use 'paquete' when the 'box' is specifically a parcel or package that has been mailed or delivered.
A neatly wrapped brown cardboard package tied with white string and a red bow, sitting on a plain surface.

Examples

Recibí un paquete con regalos de mi familia.

I received a package with gifts from my family.

El cartero dejó un paquete grande en la puerta.

The mail carrier left a large package at the door.

¿Puedes envolver este paquete antes de enviarlo?

Can you wrap this parcel before sending it?

Masculine Noun

Even though it ends in '-e', 'paquete' is always a masculine word, so use 'el' or 'un' before it.

área

nounB2sports
Use 'área' only when referring to the penalty area or goal area in sports like soccer or hockey.

Examples

El jugador marcó un gol desde fuera del área.

The player scored a goal from outside the box (area).

Caja vs. Paquete

The most common confusion is between 'caja' and 'paquete'. Remember, 'caja' is a general term for a box-shaped container, while 'paquete' specifically refers to a delivered parcel or package.

Related Translations

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