Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say Trunk in Spanish
Maletero · noun · mah-leh-TEH-roh
The Spanish word for trunk (of a car) varies by region: 'maletero' in Spain, 'cajuela' in Mexico, and 'baúl' in Colombia and Venezuela. For a tree trunk, the word is 'tronco,' which is universal across all regions.
Pronounce 'maletero' as mah-leh-TEH-roh, with the stress on the third syllable. For 'tronco,' say TROHN-koh.
Pon las maletas en el maletero del carro.
Put the suitcases in the trunk of the car.
trunk in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for trunk, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| maletero | trunk | mah-leh-TEH-roh | Default, widely understood |
| cajuela | trunk | Mexico | |
| baúl | trunk | Colombia, Venezuela | |
| tronco | trunk | tree trunk |
How Native Speakers Use Maletero
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Car trunk
Abre el maletero para guardar las compras.
Open the trunk to store the groceries.
Loading items into a car.
Tree trunk
El tronco del árbol era enorme.
The tree trunk was enormous.
Describing a large tree.
Mexican usage
Dejé la sombrilla en la cajuela.
I left the umbrella in the trunk.
Using the Mexican regional term.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Maletero
Using 'tronco' for a car trunk
Incorrect: Pon la bolsa en el tronco del auto.
Correct: Pon la bolsa en el maletero del auto.
'Tronco' only refers to a tree trunk or the torso of the body. For a car trunk, use 'maletero,' 'cajuela,' or 'baúl' depending on the region.
Mixing regional terms
Incorrect: Abre la cajuela (in Spain).
Correct: Abre el maletero.
'Cajuela' is specific to Mexico and may not be understood in Spain, where 'maletero' is the standard term.
Lock in trunk 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 Maletero used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using maletero in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Pon las maletas en el maletero del carro. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
Save, review, repeat, stay consistent
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Common Questions About trunk in Spanish
- Which word for car trunk is most widely understood?
- While 'maletero' (Spain), 'cajuela' (Mexico), and 'baúl' (Colombia) are all correct, 'maletero' tends to be the most widely understood across different Spanish-speaking countries.
- Does 'tronco' have any slang meanings?
- In Spain, 'tronco' is colloquial slang for 'dude' or 'buddy,' often used among friends — '¿Qué pasa, tronco?' (What's up, dude?).
- How do you say 'elephant trunk' in Spanish?
- An elephant's trunk is called a 'trompa,' not 'tronco' — 'el elefante usa su trompa para beber agua' (the elephant uses its trunk to drink water).