hacer las maletas.

Question

Hello friends,

I was wondering that despite of so many verbs being present in Spanish that specifically mean to pack, wrap or package, why do we still use the verb hacer to denote the action of packing the bags.

Can't we use some more specific verb ,, like abarrotar, embalar, empaquetar etc.?..

I understand that we can say ,, I am doing up my bags ,, but won't it be better if we use a more packing specific verb.

I am not sure if there is some logic behind it or is it just customary to use Hacer in this context.

Request you all to help me discern ..

Thanks and regards.

Answer 1

In Spain we never use "empacar" or rarely, I haven't heard anybody using that verb, we use "hacer las maletas"

However in Mexico and Guatemala (I lived in Guatemala and now I'm living in Mexico) they use almost always "empacar".

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yes dear friend, I agree ,, spanish has a lot of regional variation ,, huhh ,, but I will triumph some day ,, hehe - 00b055e0, Apr 3, 2014

I agree , withmy limited knowledge, which is from Spain only. - annierats, Apr 3, 2014

Answer 2

The use of 'hacer' is an idiomatic usage in Spanish.

I'd use "hacer las maletas" about half the times, though; here it's more common that we say empacar to mean we're getting ready to travel

Yes, I remember Heidiita a native from Spain, teaching me that one :) I used to use empacar - FELIZ77, Apr 3, 2014

Yes, I remember Heidiita, a native from Spain, teaching me that one :) I used to use empacar - - FELIZ77, Apr 3, 2014

ohh thanks ,, I learned a new verb then ,, so do we say empacar las maletas or just empacar is enough. I love spanish but there is a wide idiomatic terrain which haunts me all the time ,, haha ,, but friends like u all make life a little easy ,, thanks - 00b055e0, Apr 3, 2014

She was from Germany, Feliz, although better than any of us can aspire to be.. And didn't she know it! - annierats, Apr 3, 2014

Answer 3

I am probably wrong on this, maybe it doesn't really matter that hacer is used because after all, Spanish does not translate word for word into English a lot.

But at the same time, I am not saying that you could throw in any word and it would work because it doesn't translate word for word, but of course that is not true (the first part of my sentence).

I don't really know...just a dumb idea.

hahaha ,, thanks for sharing your idea my friend :) - 00b055e0, Apr 3, 2014

Answer 4

No, Jimmy, no sé por qué pero siempre se dice ' hacer la maleta' . Embalsar o empquetar la maleta significaría == wrap the suitcase up into something else, i.e. make a parcel out of it for sending by post or other form of shipment. I think, anyway.

ohh ok ,, I get it. thank u Annie ,, what would I do without you (and other great friends like u) .. thanks a lot - 00b055e0, Apr 3, 2014

Live happily forever? - annierats, Apr 3, 2014

thank dear - 00b055e0, Apr 3, 2014

I mean ,, thanks dear - 00b055e0, Apr 3, 2014