Sign in
stationery and Spanish estacionario
In English
stationery
office/writing supplies
In Spanish
estacionario
quieto
Spanish "estacionario" means: stationary (quieto)
Why they get mixed up Spanish "estacionario" means still, not moving, and English spells that "stationary," with an a. "Stationery," with an e, is writing and office supplies: paper, envelopes, pens.
If you want to say...
- stationerypapelería
- stationaryestacionario o quieto
- envelopesobre
Examples
She bought new stationery.
Compró artículos de papelería nuevos.
Use the office stationery.
Usa la papelería de la oficina.
The store sells pens, paper and other stationery.
La tienda vende bolígrafos, papel y otros artículos de papelería.
The wedding invitations were printed on cream stationery.
Las invitaciones de boda se imprimieron en papel color crema.
Common mistakes in Spanish
Incorrect: Compré unos artículos estacionarios en la papelería.
Correct: Compré unos artículos de papelería en la tienda.
Estacionario means stationary or not moving. Stationery is papelería.
Incorrect: El vendedor de estacionario abre a las nueve.
Correct: El vendedor de papelería abre a las nueve.
Use papelería for stationery.
Phrases you will hear
- a stationery shopuna papelería
- buy stationerycomprar artículos de papelería
- office stationerypapelería de oficina
- stationery and envelopespapel y sobres
- stationaryquieto
- a stationary carun coche detenido
In a conversation
- A:
I need pens and paper from the stationery shop.
Necesito bolígrafos y papel de la papelería.
- B:
A stationary car blocks the door.
Un coche detenido bloquea la puerta.
- A:
Then wait until it moves.
Entonces espera a que se mueva.
- B:
Stationery is paper; stationary is not moving.
Stationery es papelería; stationary es no moverse.
Test yourself
"A stationery store" is a store selling...
To remember it
Stationery (with an "e") = office supplies. Stationary (with an "a") = still/motionless.
Frequently asked questions
What does Spanish "estacionario" mean?
Spanish "estacionario" means "stationary (quieto)". It looks like the English "stationery", which is exactly why it gets confused, but "stationery" means "office/writing supplies".
Does English "stationery" mean the same as Spanish "estacionario"?
Spanish "estacionario" means still, not moving, and English spells that "stationary," with an a. "Stationery," with an e, is writing and office supplies: paper, envelopes, pens.