bolsa
Mexico, standard
In Mexico bolsa means a bag, a purse and also a pocket of your clothes. A handbag is bolsa de mano, and a plastic shopping bag is bolsa de plástico. It is also called bolsa del pantalón.
Meaning: bag, purse, or pocket (noun)
Ways to say it
| Mexican | Note |
|---|---|
| bolsa | Mexico, standard |
| bolsa de mano | handbag |
| bolsa del pantalón |
Mexicans say Se me quedó en la bolsa for something left in a pocket. At the supermarket the cashier asks ¿Quiere bolsa? to ask if you want a bag.
Which one should you use?
In Spain bolso is a purse and bolsillo is a pocket, while bolsa is mainly a shopping or plastic bag.
Is it said differently in some regions?
La Bolsa with a capital letter is the stock market, as in the Bolsa Mexicana de Valores.
How does it change in a sentence?
Bolsa is feminine: la bolsa. The plural is las bolsas.
Did you know?
- Mexican Spanish also uses bolsa for the pocket of trousers, so la bolsa del pantalón is a normal phrase there.
Examples in context
- Guarda las llaves en tu bolsa.Keep the keys in your purse.
- Traigo el celular en la bolsa del pantalón.I have my phone in my pants pocket.
- ¿Quiere bolsa para sus compras?Do you want a bag for your purchases?
Example conversation
Cashier Tania asks customer Rosario if she needs a bag at a supermarket in Morelia.
- TaniaSon doscientos pesos. ¿Quiere bolsa?That is two hundred pesos. Do you want a bag?
- RosarioNo, traigo la mía en la bolsa.No, I have mine in my purse.
- TaniaPerfecto, gracias.Perfect, thank you.
- RosarioA usted. Que tenga buen día.You too. Have a good day.
