saca
/SAH-kah/
sack
As a noun, 'saca' refers to a large bag or sack used for carrying goods.
saca(noun)
sack
?large bag for goods
,bale
?compressed bundle of material
haul
?catch or amount extracted
📝 In Action
La saca de café pesa cincuenta kilos.
A2The sack of coffee weighs fifty kilos.
Necesitamos comprar una saca de patatas para la semana.
B1We need to buy a bag (sack) of potatoes for the week.
El pescador regresó con una buena saca de mariscos.
B2The fisherman returned with a good haul of shellfish.
💡 Grammar Points
Gender Check
Remember that 'saca' is feminine (la saca), unlike the related word 'saco' (the jacket or small sack), which is masculine (el saco).
⭐ Usage Tips
Size Matters
Use 'saca' for very large, often coarse containers, typically used for bulk items like grain, potatoes, or mail. For smaller, everyday bags, use 'bolsa' or 'mochila'.
As a verb, 'saca' means he/she/it takes out or removes something.
saca(verb)
takes out
?he/she/it removes something
,gets
?obtains or achieves
pulls out
?extracts
,serves
?in sports like tennis
📝 In Action
Ella saca un libro de su mochila.
A1She takes a book out of her backpack. (3rd person present)
¡Saca la basura antes de que lleguen!
A1Take out the trash before they arrive! (Tú command)
El equipo saca el partido adelante con esfuerzo.
B2The team pulls the game forward with effort.
💡 Grammar Points
The 'Tú' Command
The form 'saca' is the simple, direct way to tell a friend or family member (tú) to 'take something out' or 'remove it.' This command form is often identical to the 'él/ella/usted' present tense form.
Spelling Change Alert!
When conjugating sacar in forms that start with 'e' (like the 'yo' preterite or the entire subjunctive), the 'c' changes to 'qu' (saqué, saque). This is just to keep the hard 'k' sound consistent.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Mixing Up 'Sacar' and 'Llevar'
Mistake: "Using 'saca' when you mean 'lleva' (to take something to a different place)."
Correction: Use 'sacar' only for removing something from an enclosed space (like a pocket or bag). Use 'llevar' for moving it from point A to point B. Example: 'Saca el libro de la caja y llévalo a la mesa.'
⭐ Usage Tips
Super Versatile Verb
Sacar is used in many ways that English uses different verbs: 'sacar una foto' (take a photo), 'sacar buenas notas' (get good grades), 'sacar la lengua' (stick out your tongue).
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: saca
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'saca' as a noun?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'saca' (noun) and 'saco' (noun)?
'Saca' (feminine) usually refers to a large, coarse bag or bale used for transporting goods in bulk (like coffee or mail). 'Saco' (masculine) can mean a smaller sack, or, more commonly, a jacket or coat.
How do I know if 'saca' is a command or just a statement?
If 'saca' is the first word in the sentence and is followed by an exclamation mark, it's usually a command ('¡Saca el perro!'). If it follows a subject like 'él' or 'ella,' it's a statement ('Él saca la llave'). Context is key!