Cofre

[DailyWord]

This is a discussion thread for the Daily Spanish Word for September 18, 2009

cofre (masculine noun (el)) — chest, case, box, hood, bonnet. Look up cofre in the dictionary

Abrieron el cofre para descubrir el tesoro.
They opened the chest and discovered the treasure.

[EmpanadaRica]

Well interesting, in both Dutch and German the word 'koffer' exists, meaning 'maleta'/ 'suitcase'

It exists as ''coffer in English too but with a similar meaning as mentioned here

1.a box or chest, esp. one for valuables.2.coffers, a treasury; funds: The coffers of the organization were rapidly filled by the contributions.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/coffer

So is this word still used frequently in Spanish or is it somewhat oldfashioned perhaps? Would you see it in stories/ fairytales or e.g. as in treasure chests with pirate stories?

Or would it be used daily as in a type of big box as well?

[CrOtALiTo]

I have the chest of my imagination.

The Barbara's chest.

[AngelicaDeAlquezar]

@Empanada: "cofre" or "baúl" can be big wooden boxes... not only treasure containers.


Otro cofre:

El mecánico me pidió que abriera el cofre del auto para ver el motor.
The mechanic asked me to open the hood of the car to see the motor.

[ookami]

Daily no, baúl is a lot more common for that. You will find it in fairy tales more than nothing.(is this okay?)

5. m. Méx. Parte del automóvil que contiene el motor.
I didn't knew that, we say "capot, "capó", "capota".

[EmpanadaRica]

Escrito originalmente por AngelicaDeAlquezar

@Empanada: "cofre" or "baúl" can be big wooden boxes... not only treasure containers.


Otro cofre:

El mecánico me pidió que abriera el cofre del auto para ver el motor.
The mechanic asked me to open the hood of the car to see the motor.

Haha qué lastima... ya habia empezado imaginarme grandes historias de pirátes con cofres de oro...

Interesting, in Dutch we use 'kofferbak' (i.e. 'caja de maletas') para decir 'maletero'... (i.e. the 'trunk' of the car.. I always find 'trunk' such a strange word to refer to trees, cars as well as swimming gear ...)
So in fact 'el cofre' refers to the other side of the car..

Escrito originalmente por ookami

Daily no, baúl is a lot more common for that. You will find it in fairy tales more than nothing.(is this okay?)

5. m. Méx. Parte del automóvil que contiene el motor.
I didn't knew that, we say "capot, "capó", "capota".

As in 'hood', 'bonnet' , 'cap' (In Dutch this would be very similar : 'motorkap' entonces ' capó del motor' )

And in Spain which word is used most often?

[irmamar]

Here we say 'capó'

[EmpanadaRica]

Escrito originalmente por irmamar

Here we say 'capó'

¡Thanx!

[pjt33]

Escrito originalmente por EmpanadaRica

I always find 'trunk' such a strange word to refer to trees, cars as well as swimming gear ...

Elephants' noses...

[EmpanadaRica]

Escrito originalmente por pjt33

Elephants' noses...

Oh yes! I knew I had forgotten one...