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"Bulto" is a noun which is often translated as "bag", and "bolsa" is a noun which is also often translated as "bag". Learn more about the difference between "bulto" and "bolsa" below.
el bulto(
bool
-
toh
)A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
a. bag
¿Por qué tantos bultos? Solo nos vamos dos días.Why so many bags? We're just going away for two days.
a. bulge
El prisionero dejó un bulto bajo las sábanas y escapó.The prisoner left a bulge under the sheets and escaped.
3. (medicine)
4. (volume)
5. (silhouette)
a. shape
Me asusté al ver un bulto moverse por el jardín.I got scared when I saw a shape moving in the garden.
7. (school bag) (Bolivia) (Dominican Republic) (Nicaragua) (Puerto Rico) (Venezuela)
Regionalism used in Bolivia
Regionalism used in the Dominican Republic
Regionalism used in Nicaragua
Regionalism used in Puerto Rico
Regionalism used in Venezuela
la bolsa(
bohl
-
sah
)A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
1. (container)
a. bag
No te olvides de llevar las bolsas para hacer la compra.Don't forget to take your bags when you go shopping.
b. sack (United States)
Regionalism used in the United States
En ese restaurante te ponen la comida para llevar en una bolsa grande de papel.At that restaurant they put your takeout in a large paper sack.
2. (pocketbook)
a. purse (United States)
Regionalism used in the United States
Creí que había dejado las llaves en la bolsa, pero no las encuentro.I thought I'd left my keys in my purse, but I can't find them.
b. handbag
Compré una bolsa nueva que hace juego con los zapatos.I bought a new handbag that goes with my shoes.
3. (pouch inside clothing) (Central America) (Mexico)
Regionalism used in Central America: Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama
Regionalism used in Mexico
a. pocket
¿No traes unas monedas en la bolsa para darle una propina al empacador?Do you have any coins in your pocket to give the packer a tip?
4. (sports)
a. purse
El boxeador filipino se llevó la bolsa después de una pelea muy controversial.The Filipino boxer took home the purse after a very controversial fight.
a. pouch
La cría de canguro se asomó de la bolsa de su madre.The joey peered out from his mother's pouch.
6. (medicine)
a. sac
Le salió una pequeña bolsa de sangre debajo de la uña después de machucarla en la puerta.A small sac of blood formed under her fingernail after she jammed it in the door.
7. (baggy fold)
a. bag (under the eyes)
Necesito dormir más para que se me quiten estas bolsas debajo de los ojos.I need to sleep more to get rid of these bags under my eyes.
b. no direct translation (of a garment)
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Cuando te doblas así, se forman bolsas en tu vestido.When you bend down like that, your dress bunches up.
El saco de tu papá te hace bolsas.Your father's coat looks baggy on you.
a. pocket
Una bolsa de metano se incendió debajo del edificio, causando su destrucción.A pocket of methane ignited under the building, causing its destruction.
9. (finance)
a. stock exchange
Noticias de la bolsa de Brasil sacudieron los mercados internacionales.News from the Brazilian stock exchange shook international markets.
b. stock market
La bolsa reaccionó ante un aumento en el precio del petróleo.The stock market reacted to a rise in the price of oil.
las bolsas
A plural noun indicates that there is more than one person, place, thing, or idea.
10. (male genitalia)
a. scrotum
Necesita operarse porque tiene nódulos en las bolsas.He needs to be operated on because he has nodules on his scrotum.
