Inklingo

How to Say "locker" in Spanish

English → Spanish

casillero

ka-see-yeh-rohkasiˈʎeɾo

nounA2general
Use 'casillero' for a personal storage unit, typically found in schools or gyms, where you keep your belongings like books or gym clothes.
A row of colorful metal lockers with one door slightly open.

Examples

Guarda tus libros en tu casillero antes de ir a clase.

Put your books in your locker before going to class.

No puedo abrir mi casillero porque olvidé la combinación.

I can't open my locker because I forgot the combination.

Hay nuevos casilleros metálicos en el vestuario del gimnasio.

There are new metal lockers in the gym locker room.

Always Masculine

Even if a girl is using the locker, the word remains 'el casillero' because the object itself is masculine.

Locker vs. Taquilla

Mistake:Using 'casillero' in Spain for a gym locker.

Correction: In Spain, people usually say 'taquilla'. 'Casillero' is much more common in Latin America.

taquilla

ta-KEE-yahtaˈkiʝa

nounA2general
Opt for 'taquilla' when referring to a small locker or cubby for personal items, commonly used in places like gyms or train stations for temporary storage.
A row of blue metal lockers with small vents and silver handles.

Examples

Guarda tu bolso en la taquilla del gimnasio.

Keep your bag in the gym locker.

He olvidado la llave de mi taquilla.

I have forgotten my locker key.

Los estudiantes decoran sus taquillas.

The students decorate their lockers.

Plural Form

To talk about more than one locker, simply add an 's' to get 'taquillas'.

Locker vs. Closet

Mistake:Puse mi ropa en la taquilla de mi dormitorio.

Correction: Puse mi ropa en el armario de mi dormitorio.

armario

ar-MAH-ree-ohaɾˈma.ɾjo

nounA2general
Use 'armario' for a general storage cabinet or closet, and it can sometimes refer to a larger locker-like unit, but it's less specific to the typical 'locker' context.
A white cabinet mounted high on a kitchen wall, serving as general storage for dishes or food items, commonly known as a cupboard.

Examples

Guarda los platos limpios en el armario de la cocina.

Put the clean dishes away in the kitchen cupboard.

Necesitamos un armario para guardar los archivos de la oficina.

We need a cabinet to store the office files.

Context is Key

When you hear 'armario,' listen for the location. If it's in a bedroom, it means 'wardrobe.' If it's in a kitchen, it means 'cupboard' for dishes or food.

Casillero vs. Taquilla

The most common confusion is between 'casillero' and 'taquilla'. While both are used for personal lockers, 'casillero' is generally for longer-term use (like a school locker), whereas 'taquilla' often implies smaller, sometimes temporary, compartments.

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