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"Maleta" is a noun which is often translated as "suitcase", and "carro" is a noun which is often translated as "car". Learn more about the difference between "maleta" and "carro" below.
la maleta(
mah
-
leh
-
tah
)A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
1. (luggage)
a. suitcase
Mi primo le dio la vuelta a la cuadra con una maleta vacía.My cousin took an empty suitcase for a stroll around the block.
b. case
Ya tengo empacada la maleta y estoy listo para irme al aeropuerto.My case is packed and I'm ready to head to the airport.
c. bag
Por favor, llegue una hora antes del vuelo si necesita facturar una maleta.Please arrive an hour before your flight if you need to check a bag.
2. (automobile) (Chile) (Uruguay) (Venezuela)
Regionalism used in Chile
Regionalism used in Uruguay
Regionalism used in Venezuela
a. trunk (United States)
Regionalism used in the United States
No traigan más cosas, no cabe más en esta maleta.Don't take anything else; there's no room left in this trunk.
b. boot (United Kingdom)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
¡Se me olvidaron las bolsas de la compra en la maleta del taxi!I forgot my shopping bags in the cab's boot!
3. (bump) (Andes) (Caribbean)
Regionalism used in the Caribbean: Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico
This means that the noun can be masculine or feminine, depending on the gender of the noun it refers to (e.g., el doctor, la doctora).
4. (colloquial) (worthless person) (Latin America)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
5. (colloquial) (inept) (Latin America)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
a. useless
Soy bien maleta para preparar consomé de pollo; siempre le pongo demasiada sal.I'm useless at making chicken soup; I always add too much salt.
6. (idle) (Latin America)
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
el carro(
kah
-
rroh
)A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
1. (automobile) (Latin America)
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
a. car
Mi papá me deja usar el carro los fines de semana.My dad lets me use the car on the weekends.
a. cart (United States)
Regionalism used in the United States
A veces me toca un carro con una llanta chueca en el supermercado.Sometimes I get a cart with a crooked wheel at the supermarket.
b. trolley (United Kingdom)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
Necesito el carro grande hoy que tengo mucha compra que hacer.I need the large trolley today as I've got a lot of shopping to do.
3. (wagon)
a. cart
Todavía se usan los carros de caballos en algunas ciudades grandes de México.Horse carts are still in use in some large Mexican cities.
b. coach
Viajamos en carros de primera con nuestro pase Eurorail.We traveled in first class coaches with our Eurorail pass.
c. carriage (United Kingdom)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
Se debería ofrecer Wi-Fi gratis en todos los carros.Free Wi-Fi should be available on all carriages.
5. (military)
a. tank
El carro derrumbó la fortificación, abriendo camino para los soldados.The tank knocked down the fortification, clearing the path for the soldiers.
a. carriage
El carro de tu máquina necesita que lo engrasen.Your typewriter carriage needs to be oiled.
7. (colloquial) (figurative) (a lot)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
A phrase used as a figure of speech or a word that is symbolic in meaning; metaphorical (e.g., carrot, bean).
a. cartload (colloquial) (figurative)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
A phrase used as a figure of speech or a word that is symbolic in meaning; metaphorical (e.g., carrot, bean).
Jeremiah tiene un carro de deudas porque tiene seis tarjetas de crédito.Jeremiah has a cartload of debts because he has six credit cards.
