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"Botes" is a form of "botar", a transitive verb which is often translated as "to throw away". "Bote" is a form of "bote", a noun which is often translated as "container". Learn more about the difference between "botes" and "bote" below.
botar(
boh
-
tahr
)
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
transitive verb
a. to throw away
Quiero botar estos diarios viejos pero no encuentro un contenedor de basura.I want to throw away these old newspapers but I can't find a trash can.
a. to bounce
Los jugadores de tenis siempre botan la pelota antes de sacar.Tennis players always bounce the ball before serving.
a. to launch
El Titanic fue botado al mar el 31 de mayo de 1911.The Titanic was launched on May 31, 1911.
4. (to dismiss)
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
(Latin America)
a. to fire
Te van a botar del trabajo si sigues llegando tarde a la oficina.You'll get fired if you keep on arriving late to the office.
5. (to expel) (Andes)
Regionalism used in the Dominican Republic
(Dominican Republic)
Regionalism used in Nicaragua
(Nicaragua)
a. to kick out
Lo botaron del bar por estar peleando.They kicked him out of the bar for fighting.
6. (to squander)
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
(Latin America)
a. to waste
No voy a botar mi dinero en una habitación de hotel. Voy a dormir en una tienda de campaña.I'm not going to waste my money on a hotel room. I'm going to sleep in a tent.
7. (to demolish) (Andes)
Regionalism used in Costa Rica
(Costa Rica)
Regionalism used in Cuba
(Cuba)
Regionalism used in El Salvador
(El Salvador)
a. to knock down
El gobierno decidió botar el viejo edificio de la biblioteca.The government decided to knock down the old library building.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
intransitive verb
a. to bounce
Mientras más dura sea la cancha, más botará la pelota.The harder the court, the higher the ball will bounce.
9. (to leap)
Regionalism used in Spain
(Spain)
a. to jump
Necesito aprender a botar más alto si quiero entrar en el equipo de baloncesto.I need to learn how to jump higher if I want to make it onto the basketball team.
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el bote(
boh
-
teh
)
A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
masculine noun
a. container
El azúcar lo mantengo en un bote en el armario.I keep the sugar in a container in the cupboard.
b. jar (of glass or plastic)
Se nos olvidó traer el bote de salsa a la fiesta.We forgot to bring the jar of salsa to the party.
c. can (of metal)
Regionalism used in the United States
(United States)
La receta requiere de un bote entero de leche de coco.The recipe calls for a whole can of coconut milk.
d. tin (of metal)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
(United Kingdom)
Por favor, pon todos los botes en el cubo de reciclaje.Please put all the tins in the recycling bin.
e. bottle (for liquids)
El bote de champú en la ducha está casi vacío.The bottle of shampoo in the shower is almost empty.
a. boat
La única manera de llegar a la isla es por bote.The only way to get to the island is by boat.
a. bounce
No medí bien el bote de la pelota y lo golpeé mal con la raqueta.I misread the bounce of the ball and mishit it with my racket.
a. tip jar
Puse dos dólares en el bote del bar.I put two dollars into the bar's tip jar.
a. jackpot
¡Nunca ganarás el bote si no compras un billete!You'll never win the jackpot if you don't buy a ticket!
6.
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
(colloquial)
(jail)
Regionalism used in Central America: Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama
(Central America)
Regionalism used in Mexico
(Mexico)
Regionalism used in South America: Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela
(South America)
a. can
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
(colloquial)
Regionalism used in the United States
(United States)
¿Sabías que su tío está en el bote por un atraco?Did you know that his uncle's in the can for robbery?
b. slammer
A very informal word or phrase used by a particular group or community as a substitute for standard language (e.g., joint, john).
(slang)
Regionalism used in the United States
(United States)
Lo metieron en el bote aunque es inocente.He got thrown in the slammer even though he's innocent.
c. nick
A very informal word or phrase used by a particular group or community as a substitute for standard language (e.g., joint, john).
(slang)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
(United Kingdom)
Estuvo cinco años en el bote por ese robo.He spent five years in the nick for that robbery.
Copyright © 2025 Dictionary Media Group, Inc.