bidón
/biˈdon/masculine
The English phrase "jerrycan" can be translated into Spanish as bidón.
The word bidón is a masculine noun that refers generally to a container or a canister. When specifically referring to a pressed-steel fuel container, it is used to mean a jerrycan.
Meaning: pressed-steel fuel container (noun)
Which one should you use?
While bidón is the standard term, the phrase bidón de combustible is used when a more formal or specific description of a fuel jerrycan is required.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Venezuela, the word petaca is commonly used to refer to a jerrycan or a flask.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of bidón is bidones.
How do you pronounce it?
/biˈdon/
Did you know?
- In Venezuela, the word petaca is used for both a fuel jerrycan and a small alcohol flask. This creates a humorous linguistic link between the 'fuel' for a car and the 'fuel' for a person.
- The word bidón is a linguistic traveler that entered Spanish via the French word bidon, which originally referred to a small barrel or cask.
- While a 'jerrycan' has a specific size in English, bidón can describe anything from a small handheld canister to a massive industrial drum.
Examples in context
- Oye, ¿puedes pasarme la garrafa de gasolina para llenar la motocicleta?Hey, can you pass me the jerrycan of gasoline to fill up the motorcycle?
- un bidón de gasolinaA jerrycan of gasoline
- Necesito un bidón de gasolina para el coche.I need a gasoline jerrycan for the car.
- El bidón de metal está vacío.The metal jerrycan is empty.
- Cuidado, el bidón de aceite es pesado.Watch out, the oil jerrycan is heavy.
Example conversation
Lucía and Alejandro are preparing for a road trip in the mountains.
- Lucía¿Tienes el bidón de gasolina en el maletero?Do you have the gasoline jerrycan in the trunk?
- AlejandroSí, lo he puesto junto a las herramientas.Yes, I put it next to the tools.
- LucíaPerfecto, así no nos quedaremos sin combustible.Perfect, that way we won't run out of fuel.
- AlejandroNo te preocupes, Lucía, todo está listo.Don't worry, Lucía, everything is ready.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “jerrycan” translations and entries bidón, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bidón, CC BY-SA 4.0.
