gabinete
/ɡabiˈnete/masculine
In Spanish, the English phrase 'cabinet' can be translated as gabinete, armario or vestidor depending on the context.
Meaning: storage closet (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| gabinete | /ɡabiˈnete/ | masculine |
| vestidor | /bestiˈdoɾ/ | |
| armario | /aɾˈmaɾjo/ | masculine |
The term used depends entirely on whether you are referring to a piece of furniture, a political body or a specific type of storage space.
Which one should you use?
Use armario for common household furniture like a wardrobe or a cupboard used to store clothes and various household items. Use vestidor specifically when referring to a walk-in closet or a dedicated dressing room area. Use gabinete when referring to a political cabinet or in more technical contexts.
How does it change in a sentence?
Both armario and gabinete are masculine nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/ɡabiˈnete/
Did you know?
- The Spanish word armario shares a distant root with the English word 'arm', as both trace back to the Latin 'arma', meaning 'weapons' or 'tools'.
- In a medical context, a gabinete does not refer to furniture or politics, but to a doctor's private consultation room or a specialized clinic area.
- In some Spanish-speaking regions, particularly in Latin America, clóset is used as a loanword from English. However, using armario is considered more standard or formal in Spain.
Examples in context
- Dicen que el gabinete renunciará.They say the Cabinet will resign.This sentence shows how to use gabinete when discussing a political resignation.Tatoeba #3878416 by cueyayotl, translation #280760 by Eldad
- Es un buen día para un cambio de gabinete.It's a good day for a cabinet reshuffle.This sentence demonstrates the use of gabinete in the context of a political reshuffle.Tatoeba #1327853 by marcelostockle, translation #1327858 by marcelostockle
- Todos los miembros del gabinete estaban presentes.Every member of the cabinet was present.This sentence illustrates how to use gabinete when referring to the members of a political body.Tatoeba #1625183 by wallebot, translation #21661 by CK
- El presidente anunció la formación de un nuevo gabinete de ministros.The president announced the formation of a new cabinet of ministers.
- Puedes guardar los platos en el armario de la cocina.You can store the dishes in the kitchen cabinet.
- El libro se encuentra en el mueble de la sala.The book is in the living room cabinet.
- Los platos están en la alacena de la cocina.The dishes are in the kitchen cabinet.
- 8 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Elena and Daniel are organizing a home office.
- ElenaPon los papeles en el gabinete.Put the papers in the cabinet.
- DanielNo cabe nada más en el gabinete.Nothing else fits in the cabinet.
- ElenaBusca otro gabinete que esté vacío.Look for another cabinet that is empty.
- DanielUsaré el gabinete pequeño de la esquina.I will use the small cabinet in the corner.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cabinet” translations and entries gabinete, vestidor, armario, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries armario, gabinete, vestidor, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
