Checking travel bags before leaving | Learn Spanish in English

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Dialogue

Tenemos que revisar las bolsas de viaje por última vez antes de salir.

teh-NEH-mohs keh reh-bee-SAR lahs BOHL-sahs deh bee-AH-heh pohr OOL-tee-mah behs AHN-tehs deh sah-LEER Our travel bags need a final check before we go.

Empieza por las cosas que necesitas durante el viaje.

ehm-PYEH-sah pohr lahs KOH-sahs keh neh-seh-SEE-tahs doh-RAHN-teh ehl bee-AH-heh Start with the items you need during the journey.

Tengo mis llaves, mis medicinas y una prenda abrigada.

TEHNG-goh mees YAH-behs meh-deh-SEE-nahs ee oo-nah PREHN-dah ah-bree-GAH-dah I have my keys, medicine, and a warm layer.

¿Es fácil alcanzar los tentempiés y el agua?

ehs fah-SEEL ahl-kahn-SAR lohs tehm-tehm-PYEHS ee ehl AH-gwah Are snacks and water easy to reach?

Están en el bolsillo lateral.

ehs-TAHN ehn ehl bohl-SEE-yoh lah-teh-RAL They are in the side pocket.

¿Y los cargadores y las cosas pequeñas para estar cómodo?

keh oh lohs kahr-gah-DOH-rehs ee lahs KOH-sahs peh-KEH-nyahs pah-rah ehs-TAR KOH-moh-doh What about chargers and small comfort items?

Los guardé juntos para encontrarlos fácilmente.

lohs gwar-DEH HOON-tohs pah-rah ehn-kohn-TRAR-lohs fah-seel-MEHN-teh I packed them together so they are easy to find.

Eso debería hacer que el viaje sea más tranquilo si cambian los planes.

EH-soh deh-beh-REE-ah ah-SEHR keh ehl bee-AH-heh seh-ah mahs trahn-KEE-loh see KAHM-byahn lohs PLAH-nehs That should make the trip calmer if plans change.

También dejé espacio extra para cualquier cosa que recojamos.

tahm-BYEHN deh-HEH ehs-PAH-syoh EHKS-trah pah-rah kwal-KYEHR KOH-sah keh reh-koh-HAH-mohs I also left extra space for anything we pick up.

Entonces deberíamos poder salir sin tener que volver a hacer las maletas en la estación.

ehn-TOHN-sehs deh-beh-REE-ah-mohs poh-DEHR sah-LEER seen teh-NEHR keh bohl-BEHR ah ah-SEHR lahs mah-LEH-tahs ehn lah ehs-tah-SYOHN Then we should be able to leave without repacking at the station.

Word by Word

Tenemos “Tenemos” means “we have” in “Tenemos que revisar”, where the speakers say that they need to check the bags. Together with “que” and an infinitive, “Tenemos que + infinitive” expresses an obligation or necessary action. Use this pattern when saying what you and another person need to do.

que In “Tenemos que revisar”, “que” is part of the expression meaning “have to” or “need to”; by itself here it does not mean “that” in the English translation. The reusable pattern is “tener que + infinitive”, as in “Tenemos que revisar”. Use it to state a shared obligation.

revisar “Revisar” means “to check” in “Tenemos que revisar las bolsas de viaje”. It is an infinitive after “Tenemos que”, which keeps the action in its basic form. Use “revisar + an object” when checking something, such as the bags in this dialogue.

las “Las” means “the” before the feminine plural noun “bolsas” in “las bolsas de viaje”. It identifies specific bags that the speakers are checking. Use “las” before a specific feminine plural noun when referring to several known things.

bolsas “Bolsas” means “bags” in “las bolsas de viaje”. The phrase “bolsas de viaje” identifies bags used for travel. Use “bolsas” for bags in a context where their contents or purpose is being discussed.

de In “bolsas de viaje”, “de” links “bolsas” with “viaje” and shows the bags’ purpose or type: travel bags. The pattern “noun + de + noun” commonly connects two related nouns. Here it helps specify what kind of bags they are.

viaje “Viaje” means “trip” or “journey” in “las bolsas de viaje” and “durante el viaje”. In the first phrase it describes the purpose of the bags, and in the second it names the journey itself. Use “durante el viaje” when referring to something happening during a trip.

por In “por última vez”, “por” helps express that something happens for the final time. The complete expression means “one last time” or “for the last time”. Use “por última vez” when a final check or action is being made.

última “Última” means “last” or “final” in “por última vez”. It describes “vez”, referring to the final occurrence of the checking action. Use “por última vez” to emphasize that an action will not be repeated after this occasion.

vez “Vez” means “time” or “occasion” in “por última vez”. With “por” and “última”, the phrase “por última vez” means “for the last time”. Use “vez” in expressions that describe how many times or which occasion something happens.

antes “Antes” means “before” in “antes de salir”. It places the checking action earlier than leaving. The pattern “antes de + infinitive”, as in “antes de salir”, is used to say that one action happens before another.

salir “Salir” means “to leave” in “antes de salir”. It is the infinitive used after “de” in the pattern “antes de + infinitive”. Use “salir” when talking about leaving a place or going out, depending on the context.

Empieza “Empieza” tells one person to “start” or “begin” in “Empieza por las cosas que necesitas”. The pattern “Empezar por + noun” indicates the first part of an activity. Use it when directing someone to begin with a particular group of items.

cosas “Cosas” means “things” in “las cosas que necesitas”. It refers generally to the items needed during the journey. Use “cosas” when the specific objects are understood from the situation or do not need to be listed.

necesitas “Necesitas” means “you need” in “las cosas que necesitas”. It identifies the things that are necessary for the person being addressed. Use “necesitas + noun” to say what someone needs, as in the items mentioned in this dialogue.

durante “Durante” means “during” in “durante el viaje”. It introduces the period in which the items may be needed. The pattern “durante + noun” is used to name an event or period, such as a journey.

el “El” means “the” in “el viaje”, referring to the specific journey the speakers are preparing for. It comes before the singular noun “viaje”. Use “el” before a known singular noun in a phrase such as “durante el viaje”.

Tengo “Tengo” means “I have” in “Tengo mis llaves, mis medicinas y una prenda abrigada”. It states that the speaker has the listed items with them. Use “Tengo + item” to say that you possess or are carrying something.

mis “Mis” means “my” before the plural nouns in “mis llaves” and “mis medicinas”. It shows that the listed keys and medicines belong to or are carried by the speaker. Use “mis” before plural nouns when referring to several things connected with yourself.

llaves “Llaves” means “keys” in “mis llaves”. The speaker lists the keys as one of the items already packed or available. Use “llaves” when referring to keys, often with a possessive such as “mis llaves”.

medicinas “Medicinas” means “medicines” in “mis medicinas”. The speaker identifies medicine as another item needed for the journey. Use “medicinas” when listing or discussing medicines, including in a travel-packing context.

y “Y” and “y” both mean “and”; the capitalized “Y” appears at the start of “¿Y los cargadores...?”, while lowercase “y” joins items in “llaves, mis medicinas y una prenda”. Use “y” to connect nouns or ideas, and capitalize it when it begins a sentence.

una “Una” means “a” or “one” before “prenda” in “una prenda abrigada”. It introduces one clothing item without identifying a specific previously mentioned item. Use “una + singular noun” when mentioning one feminine item.

prenda “Prenda” means “garment” or “clothing item” in “una prenda abrigada”. The phrase identifies one piece of clothing that provides warmth. Use “prenda” when referring to an individual item of clothing rather than clothing in general.

abrigada “Abrigada” describes “prenda” in “una prenda abrigada” and means warm or protective against the cold. It tells the listener what kind of clothing item the speaker has. Use it after a feminine clothing noun when describing something intended to keep someone warm.

Es “Es” means “is” in “Es fácil alcanzar los tentempiés y el agua”. It introduces an evaluation of how easy it is to reach the snacks and water. The pattern “Es fácil + infinitive” is used to say that an action is easy.

fácil “Fácil” means “easy” in “Es fácil alcanzar los tentempiés y el agua”. It evaluates the action of reaching the items as requiring little difficulty. Use “Es fácil + infinitive” to describe an action that is easy to do.

alcanzar “Alcanzar” means “to reach” in “Es fácil alcanzar los tentempiés y el agua”. It is the infinitive naming the action being evaluated by “Es fácil”. Use “alcanzar + object” when describing reaching a particular item.

los In “los tentempiés”, “los” means “the” before the specific snacks. In “Los guardé juntos”, capitalized “Los” means “them” and refers back to the chargers and comfort items. Use “los” before a masculine plural noun, or use “Los” as a plural object pronoun when referring back to known items.

tentempiés “Tentempiés” means “snacks” in “los tentempiés y el agua”. It names food items kept where they can be reached easily during the journey. Use “tentempiés” when discussing snacks, especially as part of a list of travel supplies.

agua “Agua” means “water” in “los tentempiés y el agua”. It is one of the supplies the speakers check for accessibility. Use “agua” when referring to water as a travel item, often together with food or other provisions.

Están “Están” means “they are” in “Están en el bolsillo lateral”. It locates the snacks and water in the side pocket. Use “están en + place” to say where plural items are located.

en “En” means “in” or “at” in “en el bolsillo lateral”. It introduces the place where the snacks and water are located. Use “estar en + place” to describe the location of people or things.

bolsillo “Bolsillo” means “pocket” in “el bolsillo lateral”. It identifies the storage space containing the snacks and water. Use “bolsillo” with a location phrase such as “en el bolsillo lateral” when explaining where a small item is kept.

lateral “Lateral” means “side” or “lateral” in “el bolsillo lateral”. It specifies which pocket is being discussed. Use it after a noun when identifying something located on the side, as in “bolsillo lateral”.

cargadores “Cargadores” means “chargers” in “los cargadores y las cosas pequeñas para estar cómodo”. It refers to chargers that are part of the travel items being checked. Use “cargadores” when listing electronic accessories to pack or locate.

pequeñas “Pequeñas” means “small” in “las cosas pequeñas para estar cómodo”. It describes the comfort items as small. Use it before a feminine plural noun such as “cosas pequeñas” when describing several small items.

para In “para estar cómodo”, “para” means “for” or “in order to” and introduces the purpose of the small items: helping someone be comfortable. The pattern “para + infinitive” expresses purpose. Use it when explaining why an action or item is useful.

estar “Estar” means “to be” in “para estar cómodo”. It is the infinitive after “para” and names the state the items help someone reach. Use “para + estar + adjective” to describe something intended to help someone be in a particular condition.

cómodo “Cómodo” means “comfortable” or “at ease” in “para estar cómodo”. It describes the state the small comfort items are intended to support. Use “estar cómodo” when talking about feeling physically or personally comfortable.

guardé “Guardé” means “I put away” or “I stored” in “Los guardé juntos”. It explains what the speaker did with the chargers and comfort items. Use “guardé + object” to say that you put something away or stored it.

juntos “Juntos” means “together” in “Los guardé juntos”. It shows that the items were stored in the same place rather than separately. Use it after an action to explain that several things were kept or done together.

encontrarlos “Encontrarlos” means “to find them” in “para encontrarlos fácilmente”. It combines the action of finding with “los”, referring to the stored items. The pattern “para + infinitive” explains the purpose, here making it easier to find the items.

fácilmente “Fácilmente” means “easily” in “para encontrarlos fácilmente”. It describes how the items can be found because they were stored together. Use an adverb such as “fácilmente” after an infinitive to describe how an action is carried out.

Eso “Eso” means “that” in “Eso debería hacer que el viaje sea más tranquilo”. It refers to the previous action of storing the items together. Use “Eso” to point back to an action, idea, or situation just mentioned.

debería “Debería” means “should” in “Eso debería hacer que el viaje sea más tranquilo”. It expresses an expected result rather than a guaranteed one. Use “debería + infinitive” when saying what is expected or likely to happen.

hacer “Hacer” means “to make” in “hacer que el viaje sea más tranquilo”. Here it introduces the result that the previous action is expected to produce. The pattern “hacer que + clause” is used to say that something causes a result.

sea “Sea” means “be” in “hacer que el viaje sea más tranquilo”. It describes the resulting state of the trip after the items are organized. The pattern “hacer que + subject + sea + adjective” expresses causing something to have a particular quality.

más “Más” means “more” in “más tranquilo”. It increases the degree of calmness expected for the trip. Use “más + adjective” to compare or describe a higher degree of a quality.

tranquilo “Tranquilo” means “calm” in “el viaje sea más tranquilo”. It describes the trip as less stressful or more peaceful if the plans change. Use “más tranquilo” when describing a situation that becomes calmer.

si “Si” means “if” in “si cambian los planes”. It introduces a possible condition under which the trip may be calmer. Use “si + clause” to describe a condition or possible situation.

cambian “Cambian” means “they change” in “si cambian los planes”. It refers to the possibility that the plans may become different. Use “cambiar” with a noun such as “los planes” when describing a change to arrangements.

planes “Planes” means “plans” in “si cambian los planes”. It refers to the travel arrangements that might change. Use “los planes” when discussing arrangements, schedules, or intentions that guide an activity.

También “También” means “also” in “También dejé espacio extra”. It adds another preparation the speaker made in addition to packing the other items. Use “también” to add information about another action or fact.

dejé “Dejé” means “I left” or “I set aside” in “También dejé espacio extra”. It means that the speaker deliberately kept some space available. Use “dejar espacio para + noun” when saying that room has been kept available for something.

espacio “Espacio” means “space” in “dejé espacio extra”. It refers to room remaining inside the travel bags. Use “dejar espacio para + noun” when keeping room for something that may be added later.

extra “Extra” means “extra” or “additional” in “espacio extra”. It shows that more room was kept than the minimum needed for the current items. Use “extra” after a noun to describe an additional amount or quantity.

cualquier “Cualquier” means “any” or “whatever” in “cualquier cosa que recojamos”. It leaves the particular item unspecified. Use “cualquier + noun” when the exact item is not known or does not matter.

recojamos “Recojamos” means “we pick up” or “we collect” in “cualquier cosa que recojamos”. It refers to things the two speakers may acquire during the trip. The pattern “cualquier cosa que + clause” is useful when referring to any item that may be picked up.

Entonces “Entonces” means “then” in “Entonces deberíamos poder salir”. It marks the conclusion drawn from the bags being prepared. Use “Entonces” to introduce what follows logically from a previous situation.

deberíamos “Deberíamos” means “we should” in “deberíamos poder salir”. It expresses the speakers’ expectation or conclusion about what they can do. Use “deberíamos + infinitive” to make a shared expectation or suggestion.

poder “Poder” means “to be able to” in “deberíamos poder salir”. It expresses ability or possibility after “deberíamos”. The pattern “deberíamos poder + infinitive” says that the speakers expect to be able to do something.

sin “Sin” means “without” in “sin tener que volver a hacer las maletas”. It introduces an action that will not be necessary. Use “sin + infinitive” or “sin tener que + infinitive” to describe avoiding an action.

tener “Tener” means “to have” in “sin tener que volver a hacer las maletas”. Together with “que” and the following infinitive, it expresses not having to do something. The pattern “sin tener que + infinitive” is used when an action can be avoided.

volver In “volver a hacer las maletas”, “volver” contributes the meaning “do again” rather than simply “return”. The pattern “volver a + infinitive” describes repeating an action. Here it means packing the bags again at the station would not be necessary.

a In “volver a hacer las maletas”, “a” is part of the pattern “volver a + infinitive”, which means to do something again. It connects “volver” with the repeated action “hacer”. Use this pattern when describing a repeated action.

maletas “Maletas” means “suitcases” or “bags” in “hacer las maletas”. This expression means to pack the bags or suitcases. Use “hacer las maletas” when talking about preparing luggage for travel.

estación “Estación” means “station” in “en la estación”. It identifies the place where the speakers expect to leave without packing again. Use “en la estación” to say that an action happens at the station.

Grammar Points

tener que + infinitivo

Tenemos que revisar las bolsas.

teh-NEH-mohs keh reh-bee-SAR lahs BOHL-sahs

We have to check the bags.

Use tener que followed by an infinitive to express obligation or necessity. The verb tener changes with the subject.

debería + infinitivo

Debería guardar los cargadores juntos.

deh-beh-REE-ah gwar-DAR lohs kahr-gah-DOH-rehs HOON-tohs

I should put the chargers together.

Use debería followed by an infinitive to give gentle advice or express what would be advisable.

Spanish Vocabulary

bolsa noun

BOHL-sah bag bolsas

las bolsas de viaje

cosa noun

KOH-sah thing cosas

las cosas que necesitas

durante prep

doh-RAHN-teh during

durante el viaje

empezar verb

ehm-peh-SAR to start Empieza

Empieza por las cosas que necesitas.

llave noun

YAH-beh key llaves

Tengo mis llaves.

medicina noun

meh-deh-SEE-nah medicine medicinas

Tengo mis medicinas.

necesitar verb

neh-seh-see-TAR to need necesitas

las cosas que necesitas

por última vez phrase

pohr OOL-tee-mah behs for the last time

revisar las bolsas de viaje por última vez

prenda noun

PREHN-dah garment; item of clothing

una prenda abrigada

revisar verb

reh-bee-SAR to check

Tenemos que revisar las bolsas de viaje.

salir verb

sah-LEER to leave; to go out

antes de salir

viaje noun

bee-AH-heh trip; journey

durante el viaje

Quiz

Word Order

Arrange the words in the correct order.

They are in the side pocket.

Show Answer

Están en el bolsillo lateral.

I packed them together so they are easy to find.

Show Answer

Los guardé juntos para encontrarlos fácilmente.

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

during

Show Answer

durante

thing

Show Answer

cosas

to start

Show Answer

Empieza

bag

Show Answer

bolsas