cartón
/kaɾˈton/masculine
In Spanish, "carton" can be translated as cartón, caja or envase de cartón.
Meaning: box-like container (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| cartón | /kaɾˈton/ | masculine |
| caja | /ˈkaxa/ | feminine |
| envase de cartón | /embase de kaɾton/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
The term is used to describe box-like containers or the material itself. While cartón often refers to the material cardboard, it is also the standard way to refer to specific liquid containers, such as a milk carton.
Which one should you use?
The word cartón often refers to the material (cardboard) itself, whereas envase de cartón specifically refers to the container made of that material. If you are referring to a generic cardboard box, use caja de cartón instead of just cartón.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun cartón is masculine and requires masculine articles and adjectives.
How do you pronounce it?
/kaɾˈton/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers may mistakenly use cartón to mean any cardboard box. However, for a cardboard box, you should use caja de cartón.
Did you know?
- The word caja shares a common root with the Spanish word quijada, which means 'jawbone'.
Examples in context
- Compra un cartón de leche.Buy a carton of milk.This sentence is useful for practicing the use of cartón for a milk carton.Tatoeba #6819217 by arh, translation #9462247 by CK
- Yo compré un cartón de leche del supermercado.I bought a carton of milk from the supermarket.Tatoeba #2824720 by cueyayotl, translation #2764790 by sundown
- López entró en la cocina por un cartón de leche.Lopez went into the kitchen for a carton of milk.Tatoeba #10044358 by manufrutos, translation #9741987 by maaster
- El traslado de los productos se realiza en cajas de cartón.The products are transported in cardboard boxes.
- La leche viene en envases de cartón.The milk comes in carton containers.
- ¿Puedes pasarme el cartón, por favor?Can you pass me the carton, please?
- Compra una cajilla de huevos en el mercado.Buy a carton of eggs at the market.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Javier and Sofía are cleaning the kitchen together.
- JavierNecesitamos un cartón para tirar los papeles.We need a carton to throw away the papers.
- SofíaTengo uno vacío en el garaje, Javier.I have an empty one in the garage, Javier.
- JavierPerfecto, trae ese cartón ahora mismo.Perfect, bring that carton right now.
- SofíaVoy rápido, Sofía ya empezó a limpiar.I'll be quick, Sofía already started cleaning.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “carton” translations and entries cartón, caja, 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 caja, cartón, de, envase, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
