Three brightly colored, simple rectangular suitcases stacked slightly, ready for a journey.

maletas

mah-LEH-tas

NounfA1

suitcases?containers used for carrying belongings when traveling

Also:bags?general travel luggage,baggage?the items carried (often used interchangeably with 'equipaje')

📝 In Action

Por favor, pongan las maletas en el portaequipajes del autobús.

Please put the suitcases in the luggage compartment of the bus.

Necesito comprar dos maletas nuevas para el viaje largo.

I need to buy two new bags for the long trip.

¡Date prisa! Ya tenemos que hacer las maletas.

Hurry up! We already have to pack our bags.

Word Connections

Synonyms

bolsas (bags)
equipaje (luggage (collective))

Common Collocations

hacer las maletas – to pack (one's bags)
recoger las maletas – to pick up the luggage
etiqueta de maletas – luggage tag

Idioms & Expressions

Estar con las maletas hechas – To be mentally or physically ready to leave immediately; to have one foot out the door.

💡 Grammar Points

Always Plural

Since 'maletas' ends in '-s', it is the plural form. If you are referring to just one bag, you must use the singular: 'la maleta'.

Feminine Noun

This word is feminine, which means any descriptive words (adjectives) you use with it must also be feminine and plural: 'las maletas rojas' (the red suitcases).

❌ Common Pitfalls

Confusing 'Equipaje' and 'Maletas'

Mistake: "Saying 'Tengo muchos equipajes' (I have many luggages)."

Correction: Say 'Tengo muchas maletas' or 'Tengo mucho equipaje'. The word 'equipaje' (luggage) acts like a single, non-countable item, even if it refers to many bags, while 'maletas' is countable.

⭐ Usage Tips

Carry-On vs. Checked

To specify a carry-on bag, use 'maleta de mano' (hand suitcase). For checked bags, you can say 'maleta facturada'.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: maletas

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence correctly uses the phrase 'hacer las maletas'?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

maleta(suitcase (singular)) - noun

maletín(briefcase / small bag) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'maletas' only used for large, hard luggage?

No, 'maletas' generally refers to any type of travel bag, including soft ones. If you want to be specific about a backpack, you would use 'mochila'.

How do I ask where to pick up my bags at the airport?

You can ask: '¿Dónde recojo mis maletas?' (Where do I pick up my bags?) or '¿Dónde está la cinta de equipaje?' (Where is the baggage carousel?)