What it's NOT
carton does NOT translate to cartón (material).
To say "cartón (material)" in English, use cardboard.
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False cognate · False friend
carton
Does NOT mean cartón (material)
It means a cardboard box or container
Written by Bryan López, English teacher · Updated
What it IS
carton means a cardboard box or container.
Why it's confused
Spanish "cartón" is the thick, rigid material used to make boxes. English "carton" is a specific container made of that material, like a milk or egg carton. The material itself in English is "cardboard."
How it's pronounced
cartonCÁR-ton
Tap the button to hear the real pronunciation.
Examples of correct use
English
A carton of milk.
Spanish
Un envase de leche.
English
She bought a carton of eggs.
Spanish
Compró una caja de huevos.
A trick to remember it
Carton = a cardboard box/container. The material itself (Spanish "cartón") = cardboard.
Mini quiz
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Frequently asked questions
What does "carton" mean in English?
"Carton" means "a cardboard box or container". It looks a lot like "cartón", which is exactly why it gets confused, but they don't mean the same thing.
How do you say "cartón" in English?
To say "cartón" in English, use "cardboard". If you use "carton" instead, you would actually be saying "a cardboard box or container".
Do "carton" and "cartón" mean the same thing?
Spanish "cartón" is the thick, rigid material used to make boxes. English "carton" is a specific container made of that material, like a milk or egg carton. The material itself in English is "cardboard."
Other confusing false friends
More confusing false friends
Library, embarrassed, actually... the full list of words that look the same but mean something different.
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