hacer las maletas
/aθeɾ las maletas/from spelling rules
In Spanish, 'to pack' is expressed as hacer las maletas.
This phrase is used when you are putting clothes and personal items into a suitcase or bag in preparation for a trip.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase hacer las maletas literally translates to 'to make the suitcases'.
Which one should you use?
While hacer las maletas is the standard way to say 'to pack clothes for a trip' in Spain, the verb empacar is frequently used in Latin America for the same purpose.
How does it change in a sentence?
You can use the singular form hacer la maleta if you are packing only one suitcase. To describe the continuous action of packing, use the gerund haciendo las maletas. For example, Estoy empacando means 'I am packing' using the present progressive tense.
How do you pronounce it?
/aθeɾ las maletas/
Did you know?
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, the phrase hacer las maletas can be used idiomatically to mean leaving a relationship or a situation permanently, not just for a vacation.
- The verb hacer is a distant relative of the English word 'do', as both trace their roots back to the Proto-Indo-European root *dʰeh₁- meaning 'to put' or 'to place'.
- While empacar is used for travel in Latin America, in Spain it is typically reserved for industrial packing or shipping goods in boxes.
Examples in context
- Tengo que hacer las maletas ahora mismo.I have to pack my suitcases right now.
Example conversation
Sofía and Javier are preparing for a vacation.
- SofíaJavier, ¿ya terminaste de hacer las maletas?Javier, have you finished packing yet?
- JavierNo, todavía me falta mucha ropa.No, I still have a lot of clothes left.
- SofíaDate prisa o llegaremos tarde.Hurry up or we will be late.
- JavierEstá bien, voy a hacer las maletas ahora.Alright, I'm going to pack now.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries hacer, las, CC BY-SA 4.0.
