Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
Box in Spanish: Caja, Cajón, and When to Use Each One
Caja · noun (feminine) · KAH-hah
Box in Spanish is caja, a feminine noun used for boxes of all sizes, from a shoebox to a shipping box. It also means cash register or checkout counter (la caja). For large boxes and drawers, the word is cajón.
Two syllables: KAH-hah. The j produces the Spanish h-like fricative — softer than the English j. Stress is on the first syllable.
Pon los libros en la caja.
Put the books in the box.
Box in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for box, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| caja | box | KAH-hah | Default, widely understood |
| cajón | box | large box or drawer | |
| casilla | box | checkbox, P.O. box, small box/square |
How Native Speakers Use Caja
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Packing for a move
Todavía me faltan tres cajas por empacar.
I still have three boxes left to pack.
Caja is the go-to word for cardboard moving boxes and storage boxes.
At a store checkout
Paga en la caja que está al fondo.
Pay at the register in the back.
La caja doubles as the word for cash register or checkout counter in shops and supermarkets.
Opening a gift
Abrió la caja y encontró un collar de oro.
She opened the box and found a gold necklace.
Gift boxes, jewelry boxes, and decorative boxes are all caja.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Caja
Using cajón when you mean a small box
Incorrect: Me dio un cajón con galletas.
Correct: Me dio una caja con galletas.
Cajón implies a large crate or a drawer, not a small or medium box. For a box of cookies, caja is the right word.
Treating caja as masculine
Incorrect: El caja está en la mesa.
Correct: La caja está en la mesa.
Caja is feminine: la caja, una caja. The only masculine use is el caja when referring to a male cashier in some countries, but the object is always feminine.
Lock in Box Vocabulary with the Parrot Method
Why word lists alone don't stick
Memorizing a translation feels productive, but most learners forget 70% of what they studied within 48 hours. Vocabulary needs spaced repetition AND real-world exposure to transfer to long-term memory.
See Caja used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using caja in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Pon los libros en la caja. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
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Common Questions About Box in Spanish
- How do you say box in Spanish?
- Box in Spanish is caja (KAH-hah). It is a feminine noun: la caja. The plural is cajas. For a large box or drawer, use cajón.
- What is the difference between caja and cajón?
- Caja is a standard box of any size. Cajón is an augmentative form implying a large box, crate, or drawer. In some countries, cajón also refers to a wooden percussion instrument used in Afro-Peruvian music.
- How do you say 'cardboard box' in Spanish?
- Cardboard box is caja de cartón. Cartón means cardboard. This is the phrase you will use when moving, shipping, or recycling.