recipiente
/reθiˈpjente/masculine
The English word container translates to Spanish as recipiente. Wiktionary also lists envase and cuchumbo.
Meaning: an item in which objects, materials or data can be stored or transported (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| recipiente | /reθiˈpjente/ /resiˈpjente/ |
masculine |
| envase | /emˈbase/ | masculine |
| cuchumbo | /kuˈt͡ʃumbo/ | masculine |
A container is an item in which objects, materials or data can be stored or transported.
Which one should you use?
recipiente is the most general and versatile term for any vessel or container used to hold something. In contrast, envase specifically refers to a container used for packaging or commercial products, such as a bottle or a box.
Is it said differently in some regions?
cuchumbo is a masculine noun.
How does it change in a sentence?
To form the plural of recipiente, use recipientes. To form the plural of envase, use envases.
How do you pronounce it?
/reθiˈpjente/
Did you know?
- The word cuchumbo is borrowed from the Mayan word chum.
- In some Latin American regions, cuchumbo is used specifically for the 'chamber pot' or traditional vessels used for carrying water.
Examples in context
- Cuando se concluya ese lote, hay que cambiar el envase.When this batch is done, we need to swap out the container.This sentence uses envase to discuss swapping out a container for a batch.Tatoeba #8696829 by arh, translation #10614499 by sangelo
- El orinal es un recipiente en el que se caga y se mea.The chamber pot is a container, where you shit and piss.This sentence uses recipiente to describe a chamber pot.Tatoeba #10267109 by Seael, translation #9344964 by Alkrasnov
- El flujo de líquido somete al recipiente a lo que llamamos tensión tangencial.The liquid flow submits the container to what we call tangential stress.This sentence uses recipiente to describe the effect of liquid flow on a container.Tatoeba #1165301 by marcelostockle, translation #1165302 by marcelostockle
- Necesito un recipiente de plástico para guardar las sobras.I need a plastic container to store my leftovers
- 5 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alejandro and Lucía are in the kitchen organizing the pantry.
- Alejandro¿Dónde pongo este recipiente de plástico?Where do I put this plastic container?
- LucíaPonlo en el estante de arriba, Alejandro.Put it on the top shelf, Alejandro.
- AlejandroEstá bien, lo guardaré allí.Okay, I will store it there.
- LucíaGracias por ayudarme con la cocina.Thanks for helping me with the kitchen.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “container” translations and entries recipiente, envase, cuchumbo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cuchumbo, envase, recipiente, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
