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"Maletas" is a form of "maleta", a noun which is often translated as "suitcase". "Bultos" is a form of "bulto", a noun which is often translated as "bag". Learn more about the difference between "maletas" and "bultos" 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 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
