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How to Say "case" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “case” is “caso” — use 'caso' when referring to a specific instance, situation, a legal or medical matter, or a grammatical function..

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caso

/KA-so//ˈkaso/

nounA2general
Use 'caso' when referring to a specific instance, situation, a legal or medical matter, or a grammatical function.
A single, specific moment highlighted by a spotlight, representing one particular instance or situation.

Examples

En ese caso, es mejor no decir nada.

In that case, it's better not to say anything.

Este es un caso muy común en estudiantes de español.

This is a very common case among Spanish students.

Te doy mi número, por si acaso.

I'll give you my number, just in case.

La policía resolvió el caso en dos días.

The police solved the case in two days.

Using 'caso' for 'thing'

Mistake: “Voy a comprar un caso para la cocina.”

Correction: Voy a comprar una cosa para la cocina. 'Caso' refers to a situation or instance, not a physical object. For 'thing', use 'cosa'.

caja

/KA-ha//ˈkaxa/

nounA1general
Use 'caja' for a physical container or box meant to hold something.
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.

maletín

nounA2general
Use 'maletín' for a specific type of case, like a briefcase or a specialized container for tools or documents.

Examples

El abogado olvidó su maletín con los documentos importantes en el taxi.

The lawyer forgot his briefcase with the important documents in the taxi.

causa

/kow-sah//ˈkawsa/

nounB2legal
Use 'causa' specifically when referring to legal proceedings or a lawsuit.
A perfectly balanced set of scales, typically associated with justice, resting on a pedestal, representing a legal case.

Examples

El abogado presentó la causa ante el juez.

The lawyer presented the case before the judge.

Ganaron la causa después de muchos años.

They won the lawsuit after many years.

supuesto

/soo-PWEHS-toh//suˈpwesto/

nounB1general
Use 'supuesto' when talking about a hypothetical situation or an assumption.
A single, smooth stone pedestal standing alone on green grass, ready to support a future structure, symbolizing a foundational assumption.

Examples

Partimos del supuesto de que todos los invitados vendrán.

We're starting from the assumption that all the guests will come.

En el supuesto de que llueva, cancelaremos el picnic.

In the event that it rains, we will cancel the picnic.

A Special Verb Form for Hypotheticals

The phrase 'en el supuesto de que' (in the event that) signals a hypothetical situation. Because it's not a fact, the verb that follows often changes into a special 'what if' form called the subjunctive. For example: 'En el supuesto de que venga...' (In the event that he comes...).

gabinete

/gah-bee-neh-teh//ɡaβiˈnete/

nounB2technical
Use 'gabinete' for the physical housing of a computer or other electronic equipment.
A sleek, modern computer tower case sitting on a desk.

Examples

Necesito abrir el gabinete de la computadora para limpiar el ventilador.

I need to open the computer case to clean the fan.

Caso vs. Caja: The Most Common Confusion

Learners often confuse 'caso' and 'caja'. Remember that 'caja' is always a physical container, like a box. 'Caso' refers to abstract situations, instances, or legal matters, and is much more versatile.

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