Which one should you use?
While basurero can mean the container, it is also the standard word for a garbage man or garbage collector. You may also use cubo de basura to refer specifically to the container itself.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Spanish speakers use several different terms for a trash can depending on their location. In Mexico and various Central American countries, bote de basura is a common term. In Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay, cesto de basura is a typical way to refer to a trash can. In Spain, contenedor de basura is particularly common and is used in official contexts. In Latin American countries, tacho de basura is an informal way to express 'trash can'.
How do you pronounce it?
/basuˈɾeɾo/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Be aware that basurero can refer to both the waste container and the person who collects the garbage.
Did you know?
- Depending on the country, calling someone a basurero can be a neutral description of their job or a harsh social insult.
- The word basura shares an ancient root with the Latin verb verrō, which means 'to sweep'. This connects your trash directly to the act of sweeping the floor.
- The suffix -ero in basurero is a very common way to turn a noun into a word for a person or a profession. Because of this, calling a container a basurero can sometimes sound like you are calling the object a 'garbage man'.
Examples in context
- Hay muchos que van a terminar en el basurero de la historia.There are many who will end up in the trash can of history.This sentence shows how basurero can be used in a metaphorical sense regarding history.Tatoeba #9713299 by JSKabylie, translation #10610340 by sangelo
- Por favor, ¿puede indicarme dónde se encuentra la papelera más cercana?Could you please tell me where the nearest trash can is?
- ¿Podrías echar esto en el cubo de basura, por favor?Could you throw this in the trash can, please?
- ¿Dónde está el tacho de basura más cercano?Where is the nearest trash can?
- No dejes basura afuera del cesto de basura.Do not leave trash outside the trash can.
- Por favor, deposita tus desperdicios en el bote de basura.Please deposit your waste in the trash can.
- El basurero está en la esquina.The trash can is in the corner.
- ¿Dónde está el basurero de la cocina?Where is the kitchen trash can?
Example conversation
Daniel and Elena are cleaning the living room.
- DanielElena, ¿dónde está el basurero?Elena, where is the trash can?
- ElenaEstá detrás de la puerta, Daniel.It is behind the door, Daniel.
- DanielGracias, voy a tirar estos papeles.Thanks, I am going to throw away these papers.
- ElenaPerfecto, así terminamos más rápido.Perfect, that way we finish faster.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry basurero, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries basurero, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
