caja para llevar
/kaxa paɾa ʝebaɾ/from spelling rules
The English phrase "take away box" is translated into Spanish as caja para llevar.
The phrase caja para llevar refers specifically to the physical container used to transport food from a restaurant. If you wish to specify that your food is "to go" without mentioning the container itself, you can simply use the phrase para llevar.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of caja (box), para (for/to) and llevar (to carry/take).
Which one should you use?
While caja para llevar is the standard term, you may encounter Recipiente para llevar in formal contexts or Cajita para llevar in informal situations, which specifically refers to a little box for takeout or leftovers.
Did you know?
- The word caja shares an ancient lineage with the English word 'case' and the word 'cash', both originating from the Latin 'capsa' which meant a box or chest.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, asking for a caja para llevar is often the standard way to ask for your leftovers to be packed, even if you did not order the food to go originally.
- If you use the word para in a different context, such as in a political discussion, it can be a shorthand clipping for the word 'paramilitary'.
Examples in context
- ¿Me podría dar una caja para llevar, por favor?Could you give me a take away box, please?
- ¿Podría ponerlo en un envase para llevar, por favor?Could you put it in a take away container, please?
- ¿Puede ponerlo en una cajita para llevar?Can you put it in a little box to take away?
- ¿Podría guardar los restos en un recipiente para llevar?Could you save the leftovers in a container to take away?
- ¿Me das un tupper para llevar esto?Can you give me a take away box for this?
- Pon las sobras en una cajita para llevarPut the leftovers in a little box to take away
- ¿Me das una caja para llevar?Can you give me a take away box?
- Necesito una caja para llevar la sopa.I need a take away box for the soup.
- Pon la pizza en una caja para llevar.Put the pizza in a take away box.
Example conversation
Lucía and Mateo are finishing their meal at a restaurant.
- LucíaMe sobró mucha comida, Mateo.I have a lot of food left, Mateo.
- MateoPídele una caja para llevar al camarero.Ask the waiter for a take away box.
- LucíaTienes razón, voy a pedirla ahora.You're right, I'm going to ask for it now.
- MateoAsí podrás comerlo mañana.That way you can eat it tomorrow.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries caja, llevar, para, CC BY-SA 4.0.
