bolsa de regalo
/bolsa de ɾeɡalo/from spelling rules
The English phrase "gift bag" is translated into Spanish as bolsa de regalo.
A bolsa de regalo is a decorative bag used for holding a gift.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of bolsa (bag), de (of) and regalo (gift).
Which one should you use?
Using the diminutive bolsita is a common way to refer to a small gift bag, as in bolsita de regalo.
How does it change in a sentence?
To make the phrase plural, you pluralize the noun bolsa to bolsas while keeping regalo in its singular form, resulting in bolsas de regalo.
How do you pronounce it?
/bolsa de ɾeɡalo/
Did you know?
- While bolsa is the standard term, the word bolsa is also the Spanish word for 'stock market', meaning a 'gift bag' and 'stock market' share the exact same noun.
- The word regalo shares a surprising family tree with the English word 'gala', both originating from an Old French root meaning 'to enjoy oneself'.
- If you use the phrase bolsita de regalo instead of bolsa de regalo, you are not just describing the size, but you are adding a layer of 'diminutivo' warmth that is common in Spanish social etiquette.
Examples in context
- Una bonita bolsa de regaloA nice gift bag
- Una elegante bolsa de obsequioAn elegant gift bag
- Una pequeña bolsa de presentesA small gift bag
- Necesito una bolsa de regalo roja.I need a red gift bag.
- ¿Tienes una bolsa de regalo para este libro?Do you have a gift bag for this book?
- Esa bolsa de regalo es muy bonita.That gift bag is very pretty.
Example conversation
Mateo and María are shopping for a birthday present.
- Mateo¿Dónde está la bolsa de regalo?Where is the gift bag?
- MaríaEstá en aquel estante, Mateo.It is on that shelf, Mateo.
- MateoEsta bolsa de regalo es perfecta.This gift bag is perfect.
- MaríaSí, es muy elegante.Yes, it is very elegant.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bolsa, de, regalo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
