A closed, rectangular, dark brown professional leather briefcase with a sturdy handle and two silver metal clasps, resting on a plain background.

maletín

mah-leh-TEEN

briefcase?Professional carrying case for documents,small suitcase?Small piece of luggage

Also:case?General term for a specialized container (e.g., tool case),kit?A container holding a set of items (e.g., first aid kit)

📝 In Action

El abogado olvidó su maletín con los documentos importantes en el taxi.

The lawyer forgot his briefcase with the important documents in the taxi.

Necesito un maletín resistente para llevar mis herramientas de trabajo.

I need a durable case to carry my work tools.

El maletín de primeros auxilios siempre debe estar accesible.

The first aid kit should always be accessible.

Word Connections

Synonyms

portafolio (portfolio)
estuche (case (for pencils, glasses, etc.))

Common Collocations

maletín de cuero – leather briefcase
abrir el maletín – to open the briefcase/case
maletín de emergencia – emergency kit

💡 Grammar Points

Gender Change with Diminutives

The original word, maleta (suitcase), is feminine. However, when we add the ending -ín (which means 'small'), the word becomes masculine: el maletín.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Confusing Size

Mistake: "Using *maletín* for a very large piece of luggage."

Correction: Use *maleta* or *valija* for large luggage. *Maletín* is specifically for smaller, hand-held items.

⭐ Usage Tips

Professional Context

Use maletín primarily when referring to the rectangular, often hard-sided case a professional (like a doctor or executive) carries for documents or equipment.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: maletín

Question 1 of 1

If you are packing for a two-week trip, which item would you most likely use?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

maleta(suitcase, large bag) - noun

maletero(car trunk/boot) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between 'maletín' and 'maleta'?

*Maleta* is the general word for a large suitcase or travel bag. *Maletín* is the diminutive (smaller) version, specifically referring to a small, often rigid case like a briefcase, a doctor's bag, or a specialized kit.