Inklingo

How to Say "cases" in Spanish

English → Spanish

cajas

KAH-has/ˈka.xas/

nounA1general
Use 'cajas' when referring to physical containers or boxes used for storage, packing, or display.
Three stacked brown cardboard boxes of varying sizes, suitable for storage or moving.

Examples

Compré diez cajas de cartón para empacar mis libros.

I bought ten cardboard boxes to pack my books.

Por favor, pon las cajas grandes en el garaje.

Please put the large crates in the garage.

Plural of 'Caja'

Since 'caja' is a feminine noun, its plural form 'cajas' requires feminine plural articles and adjectives (e.g., 'unas cajas rojas').

casos

KAH-sohs/ˈkasos/

nounB2general, legal, medical
Use 'casos' when referring to specific instances, legal proceedings, or medical situations/diagnoses.
A simple illustration of a large, wooden judge's gavel resting next to a thick, closed red law book on a polished wooden desk.

Examples

Los abogados están manejando varios casos de fraude.

The lawyers are handling several cases of fraud.

El hospital reportó cinco nuevos casos de la enfermedad.

The hospital reported five new cases of the illness.

Formal Context

When used formally, 'casos' implies a serious investigation or formal record, especially when discussing law, medicine, or science.

situaciones

see-twah-SYOH-nehs/sitwaˈsjones/

nounA1general
Use 'situaciones' to describe general circumstances, conditions, or specific instances of events.
A colorful storybook illustration featuring three distinct, small circular vignettes placed side-by-side. The first circle shows a sunny day with a butterfly. The second circle shows a dark night with a crescent moon. The third circle shows a simple scene of a busy market stall.

Examples

Hay muchas situaciones difíciles en el mundo ahora.

There are many difficult situations in the world right now.

Necesitamos un plan para todas las posibles situaciones.

We need a plan for all possible situations.

Las situaciones cambian rápidamente; debemos adaptarnos.

The circumstances change quickly; we must adapt.

Feminine Plural Noun

This word is the plural form of 'situación.' Since it is feminine, any descriptive words (adjectives) used with it must also be feminine and plural (e.g., 'situaciones nuevas,' not 'nuevos').

Nouns ending in -ción

Most Spanish nouns that end in -ción are feminine, and their plural form always ends in -ciones. This is a very reliable pattern to remember!

Misgendering the noun

Mistake: “El situaciones son complicadas.”

Correction: Las situaciones son complicadas. (Use 'las' because 'situaciones' is feminine.)

Boxes vs. Legal/Medical Matters

The most common confusion is between 'cajas' (physical boxes) and 'casos' (legal or medical cases). Remember that 'cajas' refers to tangible containers, while 'casos' deals with abstract situations like lawsuits or illnesses.

Related Translations

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