caja de pañuelos
/kaxa de paɲwelos/from spelling rules
The English phrase "tissue box" is caja de pañuelos in Spanish.
The phrase refers to a container used for holding and dispensing disposable facial tissues. You can be more specific by using caja de pañuelos desechables, which means "box of disposable tissues." Adding the adjective desechables (disposable) clarifies that the box contains single-use tissues rather than cloth handkerchiefs.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of caja, meaning "box" and pañuelos, meaning "handkerchiefs" or "tissues".
Is it said differently in some regions?
In many Spanish-speaking regions, people use the colloquial term caja de Kleenex to refer to a tissue box, using the brand name as a generic term.
Did you know?
- The word caja is a distant relative of the Spanish word quijada, which means 'jawbone'. Both words trace back to the same linguistic root referring to a box-like or enclosing structure.
- While English speakers use 'tissue' as a material, Spanish speakers use pañuelo, which literally means 'small cloth'. Even when referring to a modern paper tissue box, the language maintains the terminology of the traditional handkerchief.
- If you are in Spain or parts of Latin America, you might also hear the word clínex used as a generic noun for the tissues themselves.
Examples in context
- Por favor, ¿dónde puedo encontrar una caja de pañuelos?Please, where can I find a tissue box?
- Disculpe, ¿tiene una caja de pañuelos?Excuse me, do you have a tissue box?
- Necesito una caja de pañuelos para mi alergia.I need a tissue box for my allergy.
- ¿Dónde pusiste la caja de pañuelos?Where did you put the tissue box?
- La caja de pañuelos está sobre la mesa.The tissue box is on the table.
Example conversation
Alejandro and Elena are in the living room.
- Alejandro¿Viste mi caja de pañuelos?Did you see my tissue box?
- ElenaSí, está junto al sofá.Yes, it is next to the sofa.
- AlejandroGracias, la estaba buscando.Thanks, I was looking for it.
- ElenaDe 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 caja, de, CC BY-SA 4.0.
