bandeja
/banˈdexa/feminine
The Spanish word for tray is bandeja. Wiktionary also lists charola and trey.
Meaning: object on which things are carried (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| bandeja | /banˈdexa/ | feminine |
| charola | /t͡ʃaˈɾola/ | Bolivia, Honduras, Mexico, Peru, feminine |
| trey | /tɾei/ (from spelling rules) | US, masculine |
A tray is an object used for carrying or holding things. You may also encounter the variation bandejita, which is used to refer to smaller trays or to create an affectionate and friendly tone.
Which one should you use?
While bandeja is the standard term, charola is also used in specific regions and trey is a masculine form used in the US.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, the term charola is commonly used to mean tray. The form trey is used in the US.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of bandeja is bandejas, and the plural form of charola is charolas.
How do you pronounce it?
/banˈdexa/
Did you know?
- In the sport of Frontón, a bandeja is a specific type of overhead smash shot. The name comes from the player's racket position, which looks like they are carrying a tray.
- The term charola has roots in the Hokkien word chhat-liāu, which refers to lacquerware. It traveled from China to Portugal before entering the Spanish language.
Examples in context
- Tenga cuidado, no deje caer la bandeja.Be careful. Don't drop the tray.This sentence is useful for warning someone not to drop the bandeja.Tatoeba #2261534 by cueyayotl, translation #2261533 by _undertoad
- ¿Quieres una bandeja con eso?Do you want a tray with that?This sentence is useful for asking if someone wants a bandeja with an item.Tatoeba #4309003 by mervert1, translation #799252 by FeuDRenais2
- ¿Me traes la bandeja de metal?Can you bring me the metal tray?This sentence is useful for asking someone to bring a metal bandeja.Tatoeba #12903424 by mexicanhere, translation #12903427 by mexicanhere
- En el restaurante, el mesero trajo mi café en una bandeja de plata.In the restaurant, the waiter brought my coffee on a silver tray.
- La elegante camarera presentó los exquisitos canapés en una bandeja de servicio.The elegant waitress presented the exquisite canapés on a service tray.
- Mientras organizábamos la fiesta, Pedro trajo las bebidas en una bandeja.While we were organizing the party, Pedro brought the drinks on a tray.
- Lucía puso los dulces en la mesita en una bandejita.Lucía put the sweets on the small table on a small tray.
- Pedro sirvió los tacos en una charola de madera.Pedro served the tacos on a wooden tray.
- La camarera llevó los matecitos en un bandejón de plata.The waitress carried the little mates on a silver large tray.
Example conversation
Daniel and Sofía are cleaning up after a small party at home.
- DanielSofía, ¿puedes traer la bandeja?Sofía, can you bring the tray?
- SofíaSí, Daniel, la tengo aquí.Yes, Daniel, I have it here.
- DanielPon los vasos en la bandeja.Put the glasses on the tray.
- SofíaVale, ya está lista.Okay, it is ready.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “tray” translations and entries bandeja, charola, trey, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bandeja, charola, trey, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
