A single, bright red, rectangular travel suitcase with a handle, depicted in a simple style.

maleta

mah-LEH-tah

nounfA1

suitcase?A piece of travel luggage

Also:bag?General term for a travel bag,trunk?The storage compartment in a car (regional/older usage in some areas)

📝 In Action

Mi maleta está demasiado pesada para el avión.

My suitcase is too heavy for the plane.

Abre la maleta, por favor. Quiero ver lo que empacaste.

Open the bag, please. I want to see what you packed.

Siempre viajo con una maleta de mano para evitar la fila de equipaje.

I always travel with a carry-on bag to avoid the luggage line.

Word Connections

Synonyms

equipaje (luggage (collective))
valija (suitcase (common in Southern Cone))

Common Collocations

hacer la maleta – to pack one's bags
recoger la maleta – to pick up the suitcase
maleta de mano – carry-on bag

Idioms & Expressions

cargar con la maleta – To carry the burden or responsibility (figurative)

💡 Grammar Points

Gender Rule

Remember that 'maleta' is always feminine. You must use feminine words with it: 'una maleta' (a suitcase), 'la maleta roja' (the red suitcase).

❌ Common Pitfalls

Using the wrong word for small bags

Mistake: "Using 'maleta' for a small purse or wallet."

Correction: Use 'bolso' or 'cartera' for smaller, everyday bags. 'Maleta' is reserved for travel luggage.

⭐ Usage Tips

Packing vs. Unpacking

The phrase 'hacer la maleta' means 'to pack,' and 'deshacer la maleta' means 'to unpack.' Very useful for travel talk!

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: maleta

Question 1 of 2

Which phrase correctly means 'I need to pack my bags'?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

maletero(car trunk / luggage handler) - noun

maletín(briefcase / small case) - noun

maleta (adj)(annoying / clumsy (regional slang)) - adjective

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'maleta' the same as 'equipaje'?

'Maleta' refers to a single piece of luggage (a suitcase or bag). 'Equipaje' is a collective noun, meaning 'luggage' or 'baggage' in general (all the bags together).

Why is it feminine ('la maleta')?

Like most Spanish nouns ending in -a, 'maleta' is feminine. You must always use feminine articles and adjectives with it (e.g., 'la maleta grande').