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"Bote" is a noun which is often translated as "container", and "lata" is a noun which is often translated as "can". Learn more about the difference between "bote" and "lata" below.
el bote(
boh
-
teh
)A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
1. (receptacle)
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) (United States)
Regionalism used in the 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) (United Kingdom)
Regionalism used in the 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.
4. (gratuity)
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. (colloquial) (jail) (Central America) (Mexico) (South America)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in Central America: Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama
Regionalism used in Mexico
Regionalism used in South America: Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela
a. can (colloquial) (United States)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in the 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 (slang) (United States)
A very informal word or phrase used by a particular group or community as a substitute for standard language (e.g., joint, john).
Regionalism used in the United States
Lo metieron en el bote aunque es inocente.He got thrown in the slammer even though he's innocent.
c. nick (slang) (United Kingdom)
A very informal word or phrase used by a particular group or community as a substitute for standard language (e.g., joint, john).
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
Estuvo cinco años en el bote por ese robo.He spent five years in the nick for that robbery.
la lata(
lah
-
tah
)A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
1. (container)
a. can
Vamos a necesitar tres latas de frijoles para la cena de esta noche.We're going to need three cans of beans for tonight's dinner.
b. tin (United Kingdom)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
¿Tienes una lata de sardinas?Do you have a tin of sardines?
2. (metal)
3. (colloquial) (bother)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
a. pain (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Hacer informes de impuestos es una lata.Doing tax reports is a pain.
b. drag (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Estudiar es una lata. ¿No puedo seguir jugando un rato más?Studying is a drag. Can't I keep playing a little while longer?
d. bore
Odio tener que lavar los platos. ¡Es una lata!I hate having to do the dishes. It's such a bore!
a. food
La lata que sirvieron en la cafetería sabía asquerosa.The food served in the cafeteria tasted awful.
