Inklingo

How to Say "folder" in Spanish

English → Spanish

carpeta

kar-PEH-tahkaɾˈpeta

nounA1general
Use 'carpeta' for both physical folders holding papers and for digital folders in a computer's file system.
A bright yellow manila folder standing slightly open on a solid blue background.

Examples

Guarda todos los documentos importantes en esa carpeta.

Save all the important documents in that folder.

Tengo todos mis dibujos en una carpeta azul.

I have all my drawings in a blue folder.

Haz clic derecho para crear una carpeta nueva en el escritorio.

Right-click to create a new folder on the desktop.

La secretaria organizó la carpeta con los documentos del contrato.

The secretary organized the folder with the contract documents.

Always Feminine

Even though it ends in 'a', it's helpful to remember it always takes 'la' or 'una'. For example, 'la carpeta' or 'esta carpeta'.

The 'Carpet' Trap

Mistake: “Using 'carpeta' to mean the rug on the floor.”

Correction: Use 'alfombra' for the rug on the floor. 'Carpeta' is only for holding papers or computer files!

archivo

ar-CHEE-vohaɾˈtʃi.βo

nounA1general
Use 'archivo' primarily for a digital container or location where files are stored, especially in a cloud or computer system context.
A simple illustration of a closed manila file folder resting on a wooden surface.

Examples

He subido todos los documentos al archivo digital.

I have uploaded all the documents to the digital archive/folder.

Guarda el archivo en la nube, por favor.

Save the file in the cloud, please.

El archivo de la universidad tiene documentos de hace cien años.

The university archive has documents from a hundred years ago.

Este archivo PDF está dañado.

This PDF file is damaged.

Gender Reminder

Remember that 'archivo' is always masculine, so you use 'el' or 'un' before it: 'el archivo' (the file).

Confusing 'Archivo' and 'Carpeta'

Mistake: “Using 'carpeta' when you mean a single digital document.”

Correction: 'Carpeta' is the container (folder); 'archivo' is the item inside (file).

directorio

dee-rek-toh-ryohdiɾekˈtoɾjo

nounB1technical
Use 'directorio' for a specific technical term referring to a directory in a computer's file structure, often used in programming or IT contexts.
A yellow digital folder icon on a clean computer desktop.

Examples

Por favor, navega al directorio raíz para ver los archivos del sistema.

Please navigate to the root directory to see the system files.

Crea un nuevo directorio para las fotos de las vacaciones.

Create a new directory for the vacation photos.

No tengo permiso para acceder a ese directorio.

I don't have permission to access that directory.

El archivo se encuentra en el directorio raíz.

The file is located in the root directory.

Professional vs. Casual

In technical settings or programming, 'directorio' is the standard term. In casual computer use, most people say 'carpeta' (folder).

Carpeta vs. Archivo

The most common confusion is between 'carpeta' and 'archivo'. While 'carpeta' can be used for both physical and digital folders, 'archivo' leans more towards the digital storage aspect. For everyday digital use, 'carpeta' is often sufficient and more common, but 'archivo' is also correct for digital storage.

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