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How to Say "carton" in Spanish

English → Spanish

caja

KA-haˈkaxa

nounA1general
Use 'caja' when referring to the container or box itself, often made of cardboard, like a milk carton or a moving box.
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.

cartón

nounA1general
Use 'cartón' specifically when talking about the material, cardboard, from which a box or other item is made.

Examples

La caja es de cartón.

The box is made of cardboard.

Confusing Container vs. Material

The most common mistake is using 'cartón' when you mean the container itself. Remember, 'caja' is the box or container, and 'cartón' is the material it's made from.

Related Translations

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