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"Cartas" is a form of "carta", a noun which is often translated as "letter". "Paquetes" is a form of "paquete", a noun which is often translated as "package". Learn more about the difference between "cartas" and "paquetes" below.
la carta(
kahr
-
tah
)A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
a. letter
Ya no se escriben tantas cartas como antes.People do not write as many letters as they used to.
3. (card games)
4. (document)
a. charter
La Carta de las Naciones Unidas se firmó en 1945.The Charter of the United Nations was signed in 1945.
el paquete(
pah
-
keh
-
teh
)A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
2. (packaging)
a. pack (United States)
Regionalism used in the United States
Compré dos paquetes de galletas porque estaban en oferta.I bought two packs of cookies because they were on sale.
b. packet
Me encanta el olor del té cuando abro un paquete nuevo.I love the smell of tea when I open a fresh packet.
c. bag
Necesitamos medio paquete de azúcar para hacer el pastel.We need half a bag of sugar to make this cake.
3. (group)
a. package
En el paquete de aplicaciones se incluyen todos los archivos necesarios.All the necessary files are included in the package.
4. (colloquial) (male genitalia)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
a. bulge (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
No paraba de mirarle el paquete.She couldn't stop staring at his bulge.
b. package (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Ana hizo un comentario picante acerca del paquete del hombre.Ana made a spicy comment about the man's package.
5. (colloquial) (burden) (Mexico)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in Mexico
a. responsibility
Yo no voy a cargar con el paquete de los errores de mi jefe.I am not going to take responsibility for my boss's mistakes.
6. (colloquial) (punishment) (Spain)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in Spain
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Menudo paquete te va a caer si mamá se entera.If Mom finds out, you'll really be in for it.
Nos metieron un paquete por llegar tarde.We got into real trouble for arriving late.
This means that the noun can be masculine or feminine, depending on the gender of the noun it refers to (e.g., el doctor, la doctora).
7. (colloquial) (clumsy person) (Latin America)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
a. useless (adjective)
¡El portero es un paquete, no está parando ni un tiro!The goalkeeper is useless; he's can't block a shot!
An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
8. (colloquial) (smart) (Southern Cone)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
a. chic
El hermano de la novia estaba muy paquete con su esmoquin negro.The bride's brother looked very elegant in his black tuxedo.
