cajuela
car trunk, Mexico
The trunk of a car is the cajuela in Mexico. A tree trunk is a tronco and an old storage chest is a baúl, so the English word splits into three Spanish ones.
Meaning: rear storage space of a car (noun)
Ways to say it
| Mexican | Note |
|---|---|
| cajuela | car trunk, Mexico |
| tronco | tree trunk |
| baúl | storage chest |
You say abre la cajuela when you want someone to open the car trunk.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Spain says maletero for the car trunk, and in Argentina and Chile it is the baúl or maletero. Cajuela is typical of Mexico and Central America.
Did you know?
- The word cajuela is a diminutive of caja, "box", so it literally means "little box".
Examples in context
- Pon las maletas en la cajuela.Put the suitcases in the trunk.
- El tronco del árbol es muy grueso.The trunk of the tree is very thick.
- Mi abuela guarda cobijas en un baúl.My grandmother keeps blankets in a chest.
Example conversation
Hugo and his wife Mary load the car before a trip from Mexico City to Acapulco.
- HugoMary, abre la cajuela.Mary, open the trunk.
- MaryYa, pero está llena.Done, but it is full.
- HugoPon la hielera en el asiento.Put the cooler on the seat.
- MaryListo, ya podemos irnos.Ready, we can leave now.
