papelera
/papeˈleɾa/
The Spanish word for wastebasket is papelera.
papelera is the standard term for any small wastebasket or trash can used for office or household paper waste. In some regions, the term Papelera de reciclaje is used specifically to refer to a recycling bin.
What does it mean word for word?
The word is a compound of papel (paper) and the suffix -era (a container or holder for something), literally meaning 'paper holder'.
Which one should you use?
In a computing context, papelera or papelera de reciclaje refers specifically to the 'Recycle Bin' or 'Trash' on a computer desktop.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form is papeleras, following the standard rule for feminine nouns ending in -a.
How do you pronounce it?
/papeˈleɾa/
Did you know?
- While papelera refers to the bin, a papelería is a stationery store where you buy the paper that eventually ends up in the papelera.
- The suffix -era creates many container words in Spanish, such as salera for a salt shaker and azucarera for a sugar bowl.
- The word papel comes from the ancient Greek papyros, which English also used to create the word 'papyrus'.
Examples in context
- La papelera está llena.The wastebasket is full.Tatoeba #8322162 by arh, translation #10614478 by sangelo
- Dame el envoltorio, que ya lo tiro yo a la papelera.Give me the wrapper, so that I can throw it in the wastebasket already.Tatoeba #10333827 by Seael, translation #10614482 by sangelo
- Por favor, coloque los papeles en la papeleraPlease put the papers in the wastebasket
- Tira esto en el cubo de basuraThrow this in the trash can
- No dejes la basura ahí, ponla en el cesto de basuraDon't leave the trash there, put it in the trash can
- Por favor, coloque el papel en la papelera designadaPlease place the paper in the designated wastebasket
- ¿Puedes tirar eso en el cubo de basura, por favor?Can you throw that in the trash can, please?
- Busca la papelera debajo del escritorio.Look for the wastebasket under the desk.
Example conversation
Alejandro is cleaning his desk in the office.
- AlejandroMaría, ¿sabes dónde está la papelera?María, do you know where the wastebasket is?
- MaríaEstá justo debajo de tu mesa, Alejandro.It is right under your table, Alejandro.
- AlejandroAh, es verdad, no la había visto.Ah, that's true, I hadn't seen it.
- MaríaNo pasa nada, suele pasar.It's okay, it usually happens.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry papelera, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
