una bolsa, por favor
/ˈuna ˈbolsa poɾ faˈboɾ/word by word
In Spanish, "bag, please" is said as una bolsa, por favor.
This phrase is used to request a shopping bag when checking out at a store.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to a bag, please.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, you can say una bolsita, por favor to mean "a small bag, please".
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈuna ˈbolsa poɾ faˈboɾ/
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, the word bolsa is used for everything from a plastic grocery bag to a stock market 'bolsa'.
- While bolsa means bag, using the diminutive bolsita in Mexico is often a social softener to make the request sound more polite and less demanding.
- The word bolsa shares a common ancestor with the English word 'purse', as both descend from the Late Latin word 'bursa'.
Examples in context
- Disculpe, ¿podría darme una bolsa, por favor?Excuse me, could I have a bag, please?
- Oye, ¿me puedes dar una bolsa, porfa?Hey, can you give me a bag, please?
- Cuando estés en una tienda de conveniencia, pide al cajero una bolsa, porfa.When at a convenience store, ask the cashier for a bag, please.
- ¿Me da una bolsa, por favor?Could you give me a bag, please?
- Necesito una bolsa, por favor.I need a bag, please.
Example conversation
Daniel is paying for groceries at a supermarket.
- María¿Lleva sus propias bolsas?Do you have your own bags?
- DanielNo, una bolsa, por favor.No, a bag, please.
- MaríaClaro, son diez centavos.Sure, it is ten cents.
- DanielAquí tiene el dinero.Here is the money.
