Inklingo

How to Say "box" in Spanish

English → Spanish

caja

KA-haˈkaxa

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

Examples

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-tehpaˈkete

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

Examples

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.

casilla

ka-see-yakaˈsiʝa

nounA2general
Use 'casilla' for a small square or compartment, especially on a form, game board, or grid.
A single colorful square highlighted on a wooden game board.

Examples

Mueve tu ficha a la casilla de salida.

Move your piece to the starting square.

Tienes que marcar esta casilla si estás de acuerdo.

You have to check this box if you agree.

El caballo se mueve a una casilla blanca.

The knight moves to a white square.

Small House, Big Meaning

The word comes from 'casa' (house) plus the ending '-illa' which usually means 'small'. So, a 'casilla' is literally a 'tiny house' or a small defined space.

Using 'Casilla' for Forms

When a website or paper form asks you to 'check the box,' always use 'marcar la casilla.' Don't use 'caja' here!

Casilla vs. Caja

Mistake: “Voy a marcar la caja.”

Correction: Voy a marcar la casilla.

área

nounB2sports
Use 'área' for a specific defined zone or region, most commonly the penalty area in sports like soccer or hockey.

Examples

El árbitro pitó penalti dentro del área.

The referee called a penalty inside the box (penalty area).

palco

pahl-kohˈpalko

nounB1formal, entertainment
Use 'palco' for a private box or seating area, typically in a theater, opera house, or stadium.
A private theater box with red velvet curtains and plush chairs overlooking a stage.

Examples

Teníamos asientos en un palco para ver la ópera.

We had seats in a box to watch the opera.

El presidente del club vio el partido desde el palco de honor.

The club president watched the game from the honorary box.

Es mucho más caro reservar un palco que una butaca normal.

It is much more expensive to reserve a box than a regular seat.

Gender of 'palco'

Palco is a masculine noun. Always use 'el' or 'un'. For example: 'El palco está vacío' (The box is empty).

Using 'en' with palco

To say someone is 'in' the box, use the word 'en'. Example: 'Estamos en el palco' means 'We are in the box seating area'.

The 'Box' Confusion

Mistake: “Using 'palco' for a cardboard box.”

Correction: Use 'caja' for containers. Use 'palco' ONLY for theater or stadium seating. You can't put shoes in a 'palco'!

General Container vs. Specific Use

The most common mistake is using 'caja' for every type of box. Remember that 'casilla' is for small squares on forms or games, and 'área' refers to a defined zone in sports, not a physical container.

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