Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| tarro | /ˈtaro/ | masculine |
| bote | /ˈbote/ | masculine |
| frasco | /ˈfɾasko/ | masculine |
All these terms refer to a small, approximately cylindrical container, but they are chosen based on the material and size of the container.
Which one should you use?
Use frasco specifically for glass jars, such as those used for jam, honey or medicine. Use bote for containers made of metal or plastic, such as a can of tuna or a plastic yogurt container. Use tarro for larger containers or crocks, such as a large jar of honey or a cookie jar.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, Mexico or Argentina, bote can be used to refer to a jar-like container. In parts of Mexico, Central America and South America, tinaja is used to describe a large jar or vessel that is usually made of clay or ceramic.
How does it change in a sentence?
All the primary forms provided, tarro, bote and frasco, are masculine nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈtaro/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often use tarro for every type of jar, but if the container is clearly glass and small, frasco is a more precise choice.
Did you know?
- The word frasco is related to the English word 'fiasco'. While 'fiasco' now means a complete failure, they both descend from the same Latin root for a small bottle.
- In Spanish, calling someone a tarro can be a slang way to refer to their head.
Examples in context
- Queda poca azúcar en el frasco.There's not much sugar left in the jar.This sentence is useful for describing the amount of sugar remaining in a frasco.Tatoeba #8889000 by escudo119, translation #9176760 by DJ_Saidez
- La mermelada viene en un frasco.Jam comes in a jar.This sentence shows how jam is packaged in a frasco.Tatoeba #2295629 by marcelostockle, translation #1835459 by emptybook
- No cierre el tarro demasiado fuerte.Don't close the jar too tightly.This sentence provides a warning about how tightly to close a tarro.Tatoeba #7905032 by Seael, translation #2610089 by WestofEden
- Puedes comprar un tarro de mermelada en el supermercadoYou can buy a jar of jam at the supermarket
- El producto viene en un pote de vidrioThe product comes in a glass jar
- Me dejaste sin salsita, ¡mi potecito favorito!You left me without sauce, my favorite little jar!
- ¿Puedes abrir el tarro de pepinillos, por favor?Can you please open the jar of pickles?
- Me encanta el pote de vidrio, es perfecto para almacenar especiasI love the glass jar, it's perfect for storing spices
- En mi casa, siempre tenemos potecitos pequeños para guardar las monedas sueltasIn my house, we always have small jars to store loose change
- Me gusta tomar agua fresca de una tinaja en el jardínI enjoy drinking fresh water from a large jar in the garden
- 12 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
In a kitchen, Maria is looking for something.
- María¿Dónde está el tarro de miel?Where is the honey jar?
- MateoEstá sobre la mesa, María.It is on the table, Maria.
- MaríaGracias, Mateo. Lo encontré.Thanks, Mateo. I found it.
- MateoDe nada, busca el tarro de galletas también.You're welcome, look for the cookie jar too.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “jar” translations and entries tarro, bote, frasco, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bote, frasco, tarro, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
