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"Cartera" is a form of "cartera", a noun which is often translated as "wallet". "Cartero" is a noun which is often translated as "mailman". Learn more about the difference between "cartero" and "cartera" below.
el cartero, la cartera(
kahr
-
teh
-
roh
)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).
1. (profession)
a. mailman (masculine) (United States)
A word or phrase that is masculine (e.g., el libro).
Regionalism used in the United States
Esta mañana el cartero trajo una carta certificada para ti.The mailman brought a certified letter for you this morning.
b. mailwoman (feminine) (United States)
A word or phrase that is feminine (e.g., la manzana).
Regionalism used in the United States
La cartera viene a las nueve en punto todas las mañanas.The mailwoman comes at nine o'clock every morning.
c. postman (masculine) (United Kingdom)
A word or phrase that is masculine (e.g., el libro).
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
El cartero le tiene miedo a los perros.The postman is afraid of dogs.
d. postwoman (feminine) (United Kingdom)
A word or phrase that is feminine (e.g., la manzana).
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
La cartera me acaba de traer este paquete.The postwoman just brought me this parcel.
e. mail carrier (United States)
Regionalism used in the United States
Es un pueblo muy pequeño y un solo cartero sería suficiente.It's a very small village and just one mail carrier would be enough.
f. letter carrier (United States)
Regionalism used in the United States
¿A qué hora pasó el cartero hoy?What time did the letter carrier come by today?
la cartera(
kahr
-
teh
-
rah
)A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
1. (for money)
a. wallet
Me regalaron una cartera de cuero para mi cumpleaños.I got a leather wallet for my birthday.
b. billfold (United States)
Regionalism used in the United States
Sacó la tarjeta de crédito de su cartera.He took his credit card out of his billfold.
2. (bag) (Latin America)
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
a. purse (United States)
Regionalism used in the United States
Guardó las gafas en su cartera.She put her glasses away in her purse.
b. handbag (United Kingdom)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
Me compré una cartera nueva para la fiesta.I bought a new handbag for the party.
a. briefcase (with a handle)
El abogado sacó el contrato de la cartera.The lawyer took the contract out of his briefcase.
b. portfolio (without a handle)
El maestro de música siempre trae una cartera bajo el brazo.The music teacher always carries a portfolio under his arm.
5. (commerce)
6. (finance)
a. portfolio
El valor de la cartera de valores subió en el último año.The value of the stock portfolio has increased in the last year.
7. (government)
