encajonar
/enkaxoˈnaɾ/
To box it in Spanish is to say encajonar.
The phrase is used when you want to place an object inside a box for the purposes of storage or transport.
What does it mean word for word?
The verb encajonar is formed from the noun caja (box) using the root caja- and the suffix -onar, which literally means to put into a box.
How does it change in a sentence?
When giving a command to box something, the form changes based on the object and the person you are addressing. Using the verb encajonar, the singular informal command is encajónalo, where -lo is the direct object pronoun for 'it'. If the object being boxed is a feminine noun, the command becomes encajónala. For a plural or formal/polite command, use encajónenlo. When using the phrase Empácala con cuidado to mean 'Pack it carefully', the form refers to a feminine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/enkaxoˈnaɾ/
Did you know?
- In the context of music, the word cajón refers to a popular Afro-Peruvian percussion instrument that looks like a wooden box.
- In some contexts, encajonar can refer to the act of framing a shot in photography or cinematography to isolate a subject.
- The word encajonar contains a linguistic relative of the English word 'capsule', as both stem from the Latin 'capsa' meaning a box or container.
Examples in context
- Juan, por favor, embálelo cuidadosamente.Juan, please box it carefully.
- ¡Andrea, empácalo rápido que llegamos tarde!Andrea, box it quickly, we're running late!
- Embálelo en una caja grandeBox it in a big box.
- Encajónalo todo antes de la mudanza.Box it all up before the move.
- Debemos encajonar los libros pronto.We must box the books soon.
- ¿Puedes encajonar estas piezas de cristal?Can you box these glass pieces?
- Hay que encajonar todo para la mudanza.Everything must be boxed for the move.
Example conversation
Sofía and Mateo are organizing their storage unit.
- SofíaMateo, ¿podemos encajonar este material ahora?Mateo, can we box this material now?
- MateoSí, Sofía, yo lo hago.Yes, Sofía, I'll do it.
- SofíaGracias, ayúdame con la cinta adhesiva.Thank you, help me with the adhesive tape.
- MateoClaro, ya casi terminamos.Sure, we are almost finished.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry encajonar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries encajonar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
