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maletero

mah-leh-teh-roh/maleˈteɾo/

“maletero” means “trunk” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

trunk, boot

Also: luggage compartment
NounmA2
SpainMexicoArgentina/Uruguay
The open storage area at the back of a blue car.

📝 In Action

Pon las bolsas de la compra en el maletero.

A1

Put the shopping bags in the trunk.

El maletero de este coche es muy pequeño para tantas maletas.

A2

The trunk of this car is too small for so many suitcases.

No puedo cerrar el maletero porque está demasiado lleno.

B1

I can't close the boot because it's too full.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • baúl (trunk (mostly in Latin America))
  • cajuela (trunk (Mexico/Central America))

Antonyms

  • capó (hood/bonnet (the front part of the car))

Common Collocations

  • abrir el maletero – to open the trunk
  • maletero de techo – roof box/roof rack storage
  • capacidad del maletero – trunk capacity

porter, bellhop

NounmB1
A person in a uniform carrying a heavy suitcase in each hand.

📝 In Action

Llamamos al maletero para que nos subiera las maletas a la habitación.

B1

We called the porter to take our suitcases up to the room.

El maletero de la estación nos ayudó con el equipaje pesado.

B1

The station porter helped us with the heavy luggage.

Es costumbre dejar una propina al maletero.

B2

It is customary to leave a tip for the bellhop.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • botones (bellhop (specifically in hotels))
  • mozo de equipaje (baggage handler)

Common Collocations

  • dar propina al maletero – to tip the porter
  • servicio de maletero – porter service

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "maletero" in Spanish:

bellhop→boot→luggage compartment→porter→trunk→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: maletero

Question 1 of 3

If you are in Spain and want to put your bags in the back of your rental car, you should open the...

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
maleta(suitcase) — Noun
maletín(briefcase/small bag) — Noun
maletón(large suitcase) — Noun
maletear(to carry bags (or to criticize someone in some slang)) — Verb
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

Derived from the Spanish word 'maleta' (suitcase), which comes from the French word 'malle' (trunk/chest), plus the suffix '-ero', which indicates a place where things are kept or a person's occupation.

First recorded: 18th century

Cognates (Related words)

French: malletierPortuguese: maleiro

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can 'maletero' mean a woman?

If a woman is working as a porter, you would call her 'la maletera'. However, the car trunk is always 'el maletero'.

What's the difference between 'maletero' and 'baúl'?

In Spain, 'maletero' is for cars and 'baúl' is for a large antique storage chest. In Argentina, 'baúl' is used for both.

Is 'maletero' used for the overhead bins on a plane?

Usually, those are called 'compartimentos superiores'. 'Maletero' is mostly for cars, buses, or porters.