empacar
/empaˈkaɾ/
To pack up in Spanish is empacar.
The verb empacar is used when you are putting things into bags and prepare to move.
Meaning: to put things in bags and prepare to move (verb)
Which one should you use?
While empacar is a general term for packing items, the phrase hacer la maleta is a common idiomatic way to specifically refer to the act of packing a suitcase for a trip.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some Spanish-speaking regions, particularly in Latin America, the phrase hacer las valijas is also used to mean 'to pack up'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The gerund form empacando is used for continuous actions, such as saying you are currently packing. The past participle empacado is used to describe things that have been packed or to form perfect tenses.
How do you pronounce it?
/empaˈkaɾ/
Did you know?
- Spanish has a distinct difference between empacar (to pack things into a container) and empaquetar (to wrap something in paper or plastic for shipping). Using the wrong one can be the difference between packing a suitcase and gift-wrapping a present.
- The word valija, used in the phrase hacer las valijas in the Southern Cone, is a linguistic cousin to the English word 'valise'. This term is much more prevalent in Argentina and Uruguay than in Mexico or Spain.
- The word paca, which forms the root of empacar, refers specifically to a large, compressed bale of goods like cotton or wool. This gives the verb a physical sense of compressing items tightly into a bundle.
Examples in context
- Por favor, empaque sus cosasPlease pack up your things
- Voy a hacer las maletas para el viajeI'm going to pack up for the trip
- Guarda tus cosasPack up your things
- Me voy de vacaciones, voy a hacer las valijasI'm going on vacation, I'm going to pack up
- Empaca tus librosPack up your books
- Guarda la ropaPack up the clothes
- ¿Ya hiciste las maletas?Have you packed up your bags yet?
- Haz las maletas y prepárate para partirPack up your bags and get ready to leave
- Tengo que empacar mis cosas antes de irme.I have to pack my things before leaving.
- Necesito empacar mis libros.I need to pack up my books.
- Ella va a empacar todo rápidamente.She is going to pack up everything quickly.
- ¿Podemos empacar antes de salir?Can we pack up before leaving?
Example conversation
Daniel and María are preparing to move to a new house.
- DanielMaría, ¿ya empezaste a empacar la cocina?María, did you start packing up the kitchen yet?
- MaríaNo, todavía no he tenido tiempo.No, I haven't had time yet.
- DanielDebemos empacar todo antes del viernes.We must pack everything up before Friday.
- MaríaEstá bien, voy a empezar ahora mismo.Alright, I'm going to start right now.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry empacar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries empacar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
