el cuaderno
/el kwadeɾno/from spelling rules
el cuaderno is the Spanish phrase for "the notebook".
el cuaderno refers to a book with blank pages used for writing notes.
Which one should you use?
While el cuaderno refers to a notebook, el libro refers to a book (which may contain printed text rather than blank pages for writing).
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Chile, the term la libreta may be used instead of el cuaderno.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of el cuaderno is los cuadernos.
How do you pronounce it?
/el kwadeɾno/
Did you know?
- The word cuaderno is rooted in the number four. It comes from the Latin word 'quaternī', referring to the way sheets were folded into four sections to make a 'quarto' or a booklet.
- In a legal context, cuaderno does not refer to a physical notebook but to the official case file or a collection of documents for a specific trial.
- In some Latin American countries, a cuaderno de caligrafía is a specialized notebook with dotted lines used specifically to teach children how to write in cursive.
Examples in context
- ¿Dónde está tu cuadernito?Where is your little notebook?
- Necesito comprar un cuaderno nuevoI need to buy a new notebook
- Mi hermana me prestó su libretaMy sister lent me her notebook
- Escribe en el cuaderno.Write in the notebook.
- Necesito el cuaderno para la clase.I need the notebook for class.
- ¿Dónde dejaste el cuaderno azul?Where did you leave the blue notebook?
- El cuaderno está sobre la mesa.The notebook is on the table.
Example conversation
Daniel and Lucía are studying in a library.
- Daniel¿Tienes el cuaderno de matemáticas?Do you have the math notebook?
- LucíaSí, lo tengo aquí conmigo.Yes, I have it here with me.
- DanielGracias, ¿puedes prestarme el cuaderno un momento?Thanks, can you lend me the notebook for a moment?
- LucíaClaro, toma el cuaderno, Daniel.Of course, take the notebook, Daniel.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cuaderno, el, CC BY-SA 4.0.
