contenedor de reciclaje
/kontenedoɾ de ɾeθiklaxe/from spelling rules
The Spanish phrase for "recycling bin" is contenedor de reciclaje.
A recycling bin refers to a container used for collecting waste materials that can be processed and reused.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of contenedor (container) and de reciclaje (of recycling).
Which one should you use?
Papelera de reciclaje is a formal term for recycling bin used in Spain and Latin America. Tacho de reciclaje and bote de reciclaje are informal options.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Argentina, contenedor de reciclaje is used to express the concept of a recycling bin. In some Latin American countries, bote de reciclaje is frequently used. The informal term tacho de reciclaje is mainly used in Latin America.
How do you pronounce it?
/kontenedoɾ de ɾeθiklaxe/
Did you know?
- In Spanish, the word papelera comes from papel ('paper'), meaning that even when used for general recycling, the term literally describes a 'paper-bin'.
- The suffix -aje in reciclaje is derived from Old French and Occitan, a pattern used in Spanish to turn actions into collective nouns or processes.
- While contenedor is common for large street bins, the word tacho is used in the Southern Cone for smaller bins and is related to the word for a 'pot' or 'pail'.
Examples in context
- Coloquen los papeles en la papelera de reciclaje.Place the papers in the recycling bin.
- No olvides tirar las latas vacías en el tacho de reciclaje.Don't forget to throw the empty cans in the recycling bin.
- Pon el papel en el contenedor de reciclaje.Put the paper in the recycling bin.
- Necesito un contenedor de reciclaje para el papel.I need a recycling bin for paper.
- El contenedor de reciclaje está vacío.The recycling bin is empty.
- Pon el plástico en el contenedor de reciclaje.Put the plastic in the recycling bin.
Example conversation
Alejandro and María are cleaning the kitchen.
- Alejandro¿Dónde está el contenedor de reciclaje?Where is the recycling bin?
- MaríaEstá al lado de la basura.It is next to the trash.
- AlejandroGracias, María.Thanks, María.
- MaríaDe nada, Alejandro.You're welcome, Alejandro.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries contenedor, de, reciclaje, CC BY-SA 4.0.
