cartón
/kaɾˈton/masculine
The English word cardboard is cartón in Spanish. Wiktionary also lists cartulina and chapadur.
Meaning: material resembling heavy paper (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| cartón | /kaɾˈton/ | masculine |
| cartulina | /kaɾtuˈlina/ | feminine |
| chapadur | /t͡ʃapaduɾ/ (from spelling rules) | South America, masculine |
This refers to the material that resembles heavy paper.
Which one should you use?
cartón is the standard masculine noun for the material. chapadur is a regional term used in parts of South America.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In parts of South America, you may hear the word chapadur to refer to cardboard.
How does it change in a sentence?
When you want to describe what an object is made of, use the preposition de followed by the noun, such as una caja de cartón (a cardboard box).
How do you pronounce it?
/kaɾˈton/
Did you know?
- In some Spanish-speaking contexts, the phrase ser un cartón can be used colloquially to describe someone who is stiff, lifeless or lacks personality.
- The word cartón is formed by adding the suffix -ón to carta, which is the Spanish word for 'letter' or 'paper'. In Spanish, this suffix is often used to create an augmented version of a word, essentially making it 'big paper'.
- While cartón is used for heavy shipping boxes, cartulina refers to a thinner, smoother cardstock used for crafts and posters. Using cartón when you mean cartulina could lead someone to bring you a corrugated shipping box instead of a piece of art paper.
Examples in context
- Esta caja está hecha de cartón.This box is made of cardboard.This sentence is useful for learning how to say an object is made of cartón.Tatoeba #2049274 by Shishir, translation #2047764 by CK
- Acabo de comprar algo de cartón.I just bought some cardboard.This sentence is useful for expressing that you have purchased some cartón.Tatoeba #1294011 by marcelostockle, translation #750898 by CM
- Las cajas de cartón son frágiles.The cardboard boxes are fragile.This sentence is useful for describing the fragility of boxes made of cartón.Tatoeba #976476 by hayastan, translation #1334923 by marcelostockle
- cajas de cartónCardboard boxes
- 9 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Javier and Lucía are moving some items in their new apartment.
- Javier¿Dónde pusiste el cartón de la mudanza?Where did you put the cardboard from the move?
- LucíaEstá junto a la puerta, Javier.It is next to the door, Javier.
- JavierNecesito un trozo de cartón para proteger el suelo.I need a piece of cardboard to protect the floor.
- LucíaToma este, es bastante grueso.Take this one, it is quite thick.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cardboard” translations and entries cartón, cartulina, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cartulina, cartón, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
