contenedor de basura/escombros
masculine
In Spanish, the English word 'dumpster' is translated as contenedor de basura/escombros. If unsure, use contenedor de basura/escombros. Wiktionary also lists volqueta.
Meaning: large trash receptacle (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| contenedor de basura/escombros | masculine | |
| volqueta | /bolketa/ (from spelling rules) | Uruguay, feminine |
The phrase is used to refer to a large receptacle intended for trash or construction debris.
Which one should you use?
contenedor de basura/escombros is a general, descriptive term for a large bin used for trash or rubble. In certain contexts, such as referring to the container or the truck that carries it, the word volqueta is used.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Uruguay, the word volqueta is used to refer to a large waste container or the truck that carries it.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the plural form of the neutral term, change the noun to contenedores de basura/escombros.
Did you know?
- The word contenedor is a calque, meaning it was created by translating the English word 'container' piece by piece into Spanish.
- In some regions, using the word basurero for a dumpster can be ambiguous because it also describes the person whose job is to collect the trash.
- The word volqueta describes the tilting mechanism of a truck, which is why it refers to both the vehicle and the dumpster it carries in certain countries.
Examples in context
- Puedes tirarlo en el contenedor de basuraYou can throw it in the dumpster.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “dumpster” translations and entries volqueta, 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 contenedor, de, CC BY-SA 4.0.
