maleta
/maˈleta/feminine
In Spanish, the word for suitcase is maleta. Wiktionary also lists petaca and valija.
Meaning: large piece of luggage (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| maleta | /maˈleta/ | feminine |
| petaca | /peˈtaka/ | Mexico, colloquial, feminine |
| valija | /baˈlixa/ | Argentina, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Uruguay, feminine |
| veliz | /beliθ/ (Spain, from spelling rules) /belis/ (Latin America, from spelling rules) |
masculine |
The word maleta is a common and widely used term for a suitcase.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
While maleta is the standard term, petaca is used as a colloquial alternative in certain areas.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, you may hear the colloquial term petaca. In Argentina, Nicaragua, Paraguay and Uruguay, the word valija is commonly used. Valija is a feminine noun, while petaca is also feminine.
How does it change in a sentence?
maleta is a feminine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/maˈleta/
Did you know?
Examples in context
- Esa es mi maleta.That's my suitcase.This sentence is useful for identifying ownership of a maleta.Tatoeba #4608374 by Heros, translation #3396843 by CK
- ¿Cuál es tu maleta?Which one is your suitcase?This sentence is useful for asking which maleta belongs to someone.Tatoeba #12974768 by Alejandr0, translation #10312233 by CK
- Mi maleta está rota.My suitcase is broken.This sentence is useful for describing the condition of a maleta.Tatoeba #1398568 by marcelostockle, translation #250589 by CK
- Necesito comprar una maleta nuevaI need to buy a new suitcase
- Por favor, ayúdame a llevar mi valijaPlease help me carry my suitcase
- No puedo encontrar mi equipajeI can't find my suitcase
- Estoy buscando mi bolsa de viajeI am looking for my suitcase
- Voy a hacer un viaje y necesito una maleta nueva.I'm going on a trip and I need a new suitcase.
- ¿Puedes llevar mi equipaje hasta el auto?Can you carry my suitcase to the car?
- No encuentro mi valija. ¿La has visto?I can't find my suitcase. Have you seen it?
- 84 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Daniel and Elena are at the airport ready to leave.
- Daniel¿Tienes tu maleta, Elena?Do you have your suitcase, Elena?
- ElenaSí, la maleta está aquí.Yes, the suitcase is here.
- DanielPerfecto, vamos al mostrador.Perfect, let's go to the counter.
- ElenaEspera, mi maleta es muy grande.Wait, my suitcase is very large.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “suitcase” translations and entries maleta, petaca, valija, 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 maleta, petaca, valija, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
