papelera
/papeˈleɾa/
The English phrase "trash bin" is translated into Spanish as papelera.
papelera refers to a small container used for disposing of waste paper and other small items, which you would typically find in an office or a room. You may also see the term papelera de reciclaje used specifically when referring to paper recycling bins.
What does it mean word for word?
The word papelera is a compound of papel (paper) and the suffix -era (a container for), so it literally means "paper container".
Which one should you use?
Use papelera specifically for small bins found in offices or rooms. For larger household trash cans, the term cubo de basura is more appropriate.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The informal term tacho de basura is used in parts of South America.
How do you pronounce it?
/papeˈleɾa/
Did you know?
- In some Caribbean regions, you might encounter the word zafacón to describe a trash bin, a term that is rarely used in Spain or Mexico.
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, calling a bin a cubo reflects the historical use of actual buckets for collecting waste before plastic bins existed.
- While papelera refers to the bin, the suffix -era creates many other containers in Spanish, such as salera for a salt shaker and azucarera for a sugar bowl.
Examples in context
- Por favor, deposita los papeles en la papelera.Please deposit the papers in the trash bin.
- Necesitamos vaciar el contenedor de basura.We need to empty the trash bin.
- Echa el papel en el cubo de basura.Throw the paper in the trash bin.
- No dejes basura fuera del tacho.Don't leave trash outside the bin.
- Tira ese papel en la papelera, por favor.Throw that paper in the trash bin, please.
- Necesito una papelera para mi escritorio.I need a trash bin for my desk.
- La papelera está debajo de la mesa.The trash bin is under the table.
- Por favor, tira ese papel en la papelera.Please, throw that paper in the trash bin.
Example conversation
Elena and Mateo are cleaning a shared workspace.
- ElenaMateo, ¿dónde está la papelera?Mateo, where is the trash bin?
- MateoEstá debajo de tu escritorio, Elena.It is under your desk, Elena.
- ElenaGracias, voy a vaciar la papelera ahora.Thanks, I am going to empty the trash bin now.
- MateoPerfecto, yo te ayudo con los papeles.Perfect, I will help you with the papers.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry papelera, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
