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"Maleta" is a noun which is often translated as "suitcase", and "paquete" is a noun which is often translated as "package". Learn more about the difference between "maleta" and "paquete" 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 paquete(
pah
-
keh
-
teh
)A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
2. (packaging)
a. pack (United States)
Regionalism used in the United States
Compré dos paquetes de galletas porque estaban en oferta.I bought two packs of cookies because they were on sale.
b. packet
Me encanta el olor del té cuando abro un paquete nuevo.I love the smell of tea when I open a fresh packet.
c. bag
Necesitamos medio paquete de azúcar para hacer el pastel.We need half a bag of sugar to make this cake.
3. (group)
a. package
En el paquete de aplicaciones se incluyen todos los archivos necesarios.All the necessary files are included in the package.
4. (colloquial) (male genitalia)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
a. bulge (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
No paraba de mirarle el paquete.She couldn't stop staring at his bulge.
b. package (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Ana hizo un comentario picante acerca del paquete del hombre.Ana made a spicy comment about the man's package.
5. (colloquial) (burden) (Mexico)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in Mexico
a. responsibility
Yo no voy a cargar con el paquete de los errores de mi jefe.I am not going to take responsibility for my boss's mistakes.
6. (colloquial) (punishment) (Spain)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in Spain
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Menudo paquete te va a caer si mamá se entera.If Mom finds out, you'll really be in for it.
Nos metieron un paquete por llegar tarde.We got into real trouble for arriving late.
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).
7. (colloquial) (clumsy 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.
a. useless (adjective)
¡El portero es un paquete, no está parando ni un tiro!The goalkeeper is useless; he's can't block a shot!
An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
8. (colloquial) (smart) (Southern Cone)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
a. chic
El hermano de la novia estaba muy paquete con su esmoquin negro.The bride's brother looked very elegant in his black tuxedo.
