Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| maletero | /maleˈteɾo/ | Bolivia, Cuba, Eastern, Spain, masculine |
| baúl | /baˈul/ | Argentina, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Eastern, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Panama, Puerto Rico, Venezuela, masculine |
| cajuela | /kaˈxwela/ | Costa Rica, Ecuador, Mexico, feminine |
| joroba | /xoˈɾoba/ | Costa Rica, feminine |
| maleta | /maˈleta/ | Chile, feminine |
| maletera | /maleˈteɾa/ | Bolivia, Peru, Venezuela, feminine |
| valija | /baˈlixa/ | Uruguay, feminine |
| valijera | /baliˈxeɾa/ | Nicaragua, Paraguay, feminine |
| portaequipajes | /ˌpoɾtaekiˈpaxes/ | masculine |
| portaequipaje | /poɾtaekiˈpaxe/ | masculine |
| portamaletas | /poɾtamaˈletas/ | masculine |
The term used for the storage compartment of a sedan or saloon style car varies significantly depending on the region. The term portaequipajes refers to a luggage rack or carrier rather than the enclosed trunk itself.
What does it mean word for word?
The word maletero is derived from maleta (suitcase), essentially meaning a place for suitcases.
Which one should you use?
It is important to distinguish between the car's compartment and the luggage itself: maletero refers to the car's trunk, whereas maleta refers to the actual suitcase you carry. Additionally, portaequipajes refers to a luggage rack or carrier.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Regional variations are common: – In Mexico, Costa Rica and Ecuador, cajuela is the standard term. In Costa Rica, joroba is also used. – In Argentina, Colombia, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Panama, Puerto Rico, Venezuela and Eastern Spanish-speaking areas, baúl is used. – In Bolivia, Peru and Venezuela, maletera is used. – In Chile, maleta is used. – In Uruguay, valija is used. – In Nicaragua and Paraguay, valijera is used. – In Bolivia, Cuba, Spain and Eastern Spanish-speaking areas, maletero is used.
How does it change in a sentence?
The forms in Spanish have different genders: maletero, baúl and portaequipaje are masculine. cajuela, joroba, maleta, maletera, valija and valijera are feminine.
How do you pronounce it?
/maleˈteɾo/
Did you know?
- The Costa Rican term joroba literally means 'hump' and is an ancient loanword from Andalusian Arabic.
- While English speakers use 'trunk' for both a car compartment and a large chest, the Spanish word baúl can be used to describe the actual piece of luggage itself.
- In some regions like El Salvador, people use the word maleta (suitcase) to create wordplay by replacing the word malo, which means 'bad'.
Examples in context
- Tom cerró el maletero.Tom shut the trunk.This sentence shows the action of shutting the maletero.Tatoeba #2711487 by caiser, translation #2548551 by CK
- Pongamos esto en el baúl.Let's put this in the trunk.This sentence demonstrates placing an object inside the baúl.Tatoeba #2166830 by hayastan, translation #2007433 by CK
- ¿Tienes el maletero cerrado?Is your trunk locked?This sentence is a way to ask if the maletero is locked.Tatoeba #2062761 by lazarus1907, translation #36923 by CK
- El tronco de este árbol es muy antiguoThe trunk of this tree is very old
- Pon la maleta en el baúl del cochePut the suitcase in the car trunk
- Por favor, coloca el equipo en el cofre del automóvilPlease place the equipment in the car trunk
- Puedes poner las compras en la maleta del cocheYou can put the groceries in the car trunk
- 24 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mateo and María are packing for a trip to the airport.
- María¿Cabe la maleta en el maletero?Does the suitcase fit in the trunk?
- MateoSí, el maletero es bastante grande.Yes, the trunk is quite large.
- MaríaEntonces, ponla en el maletero ahora.Then, put it in the trunk now.
- MateoDe acuerdo, María, lo haré.Okay, María, I will do it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “trunk” translations and entries maletero, baúl, cajuela, joroba, maleta, maletera, valija, valijera, portaequipajes, portaequipaje, portamaletas, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries baúl, cajuela, joroba, maleta, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
