bolsa para llevar
/bolsa paɾa ʝebaɾ/from spelling rulesfeminine
In Spanish, 'doggy bag' can be translated as bolsa para llevar or bolsa de las sobras.
Meaning: bag used to take home uneaten food (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| bolsa para llevar | /bolsa paɾa ʝebaɾ/ (from spelling rules) | feminine |
| bolsa de las sobras | /bolsa de las sobɾas/ (from spelling rules) | feminine |
In a restaurant setting, it is more natural to ask for a bolsa para llevar (a bag to take food away) rather than using a direct noun for 'doggy bag'.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase bolsa para llevar literally translates to 'bag for carrying', while bolsa de las sobras literally translates to 'bag of the leftovers'.
Which one should you use?
Bolsa para llevar is a more functional, descriptive way to ask for a container to take food away, whereas bolsa de las sobras specifically highlights that the contents are leftovers.
How does it change in a sentence?
Both forms are feminine nouns. When asking for one, you might say ¿Me puede dar una bolsa para llevar lo que sobró? to ask, 'Can you give me a bag to take what's left?'
How do you pronounce it?
/bolsa paɾa ʝebaɾ/
Did you know?
- While bolsa means 'bag', it is also the word used for the 'stock market', as in Bolsa de Valores.
- In some Spanish-speaking regions, people use the word táper instead of bolsa when asking for a container for leftovers.
- The word llevar is inherited from the Latin levāre, which originally meant 'to lift' or 'to raise'.
Examples in context
- ¿Podría darme una bolsa para llevar, por favor?Could I have a doggy bag, please?
- ¿Podría envolverlo para llevar, por favor?Can I have this wrapped up to go, please?
- Me gustaría llevarme el resto de la comida.I would like to take the rest of the meal home.
- ¿Me puede dar una bolsa para llevar?Can you give me a doggy bag?
- Necesito una bolsa para llevar la comida.I need a bag to take the food home.
- Pida una bolsa para llevar la pizza.Ask for a doggy bag for the pizza.
Example conversation
At a restaurant after finishing a large meal.
- ElenaAlejandro, me sobró mucha comida.Alejandro, I have a lot of food left over.
- AlejandroNo te preocupes, pide una bolsa para llevar.Don't worry, ask for a doggy bag.
- ElenaVoy a pedir una bolsa para llevar ahora.I am going to ask for a doggy bag now.
- AlejandroPerfecto, así no desperdiciamos nada.Perfect, that way we don't waste anything.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “doggy bag” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bolsa, de, las, llevar, para, CC BY-SA 4.0.
