tengo una maleta
/tenɡo una maleta/from spelling rules
In Spanish, "I have a suitcase" is said as tengo una maleta.
This phrase is used by a person to state that they possess a piece of luggage for traveling.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of tengo (I have), una (a/one) and maleta (suitcase).
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some Latin American countries, particularly in the Caribbean, the word bulto is used to mean "suitcase".
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb tengo is the first-person singular present indicative of tener (to have). The subject pronoun yo (I) is typically omitted because the verb ending already indicates the subject. The article una must be feminine to agree with the feminine noun maleta. To change the phrase to "I have the suitcases", you change the article to las and add the plural suffix -s to maleta, resulting in tengo las maletas.
How do you pronounce it?
/tenɡo una maleta/
Did you know?
Examples in context
- Hola, necesito ayuda con mi equipaje. Tengo una maleta grande que pesa mucho.Hello, I need help with my luggage. I have a big suitcase that is heavy.
- Tengo una maleta para el viaje.I have a suitcase for the trip.
- Tengo una maleta muy pesada.I have a very heavy suitcase.
- No puedo subir, tengo una maleta.I cannot climb up, I have a suitcase.
Example conversation
María and Javier are at the airport preparing to leave.
- María¿Necesitas ayuda con tu equipaje?Do you need help with your luggage?
- JavierNo, gracias, pero tengo una maleta grande.No, thanks, but I have a large suitcase.
- MaríaDéjame ayudarte con ella entonces.Let me help you with it then.
- JavierEres muy amable, María.You are very kind, María.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries maleta, una, CC BY-SA 4.0.
