Michael Turner
Mochila is feminine: singular la mochila, plural las mochilas. Common modifiers: mochila escolar (school bag), mochila de senderismo (hiking rucksack), mochila portátil or mochila con compartimento para portátil (laptop compartment). Example sentences: La mochila pesa 3 kg. – The rucksack weighs 3 kg. Guarda el cargador en la mochila. – Put the charger in the pack.
Regional alternatives and nuances: morral frequently denotes a small shoulder satchel in parts of Latin America; alforja refers to saddlebags; mochilero names a traveler who uses a mochila. For formal text or product listings prefer mochila plus a descriptive phrase (size, material, features). For casual speech in many countries simply say mi mochila or tu mochila.
Practical usage tips: use verbs llevar (to carry), poner (to put in), vaciar (to empty). Typical adjectives: ligera (lightweight), impermeable (waterproof), espaciosa (spacious). Pronunciation aid: stress falls on the second syllable – mo-CHI-la. Memory aid: link the initial syllable mo with “mobile” items you carry, then chi (clear CH sound) and la to recall the feminine article.
mochila – direct equivalent, forms and usage
Use “mochila” as the standard term for a school or travel bag worn on the back; grammatical gender: feminine (la mochila); plural: las mochilas; IPA: /moˈtʃila/.
| Aspect | Form / Info | Pronunciation | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Singular | mochila | /moˈtʃila/ | Used for one item: la mochila. Common in schools, hiking, daily use. |
| Plural | mochilas | /moˈtʃilas/ | las mochilas – multiple units or generic references. |
| Diminutive | mochilita, mochilita | /motʃiˈlita/ | Informal, affectionate or to indicate a small bag; regional frequency varies. |
| Related noun (person) | mochilero / mochilera | /motʃiˈleɾo/ | Refers to a traveler who uses a mochila; not the object itself. |
| Regional alternative | morral (in some areas) | /moˈral/ | Often denotes a side or shoulder bag; check local usage before substituting. |
| Common verbs | llevar, poner, quitar, llenar, vaciar | – | Examples: llevar la mochila (to carry the bag worn on the back); vaciar la mochila (to empty it). |
Examples: “Dejé la mochila en la entrada.” – “I left the bag worn on the back at the entrance.” “Compra una mochila cómoda para senderismo.” – “Buy a comfortable bag worn on the back for hiking.”
Direct translation: when to use mochila versus morral
Prefer mochila for two-strap, compartmented daypacks used for school, hiking, commuting and general travel; choose morral when referring to single-strap slings, small canvas or leather satchels, messenger-style bags or military roll packs.
Form and function
Mochila – typically two straps, padded back, zipper compartments or technical features; appears in product listings, outdoor gear, school supplies and transport signage. Use this term for sizes ranging from children’s school models to multi-day trekking packs.
Morral – usually a single-strap sling or a simple drawstring satchel, often canvas or leather, sometimes artisanal. Use this word for messenger-style bags, traditional woven sacks, vendor satchels and army-style roll bags; it carries a more rustic or utilitarian connotation.
Practical selection tips
If listing items for sale or describing gear, pick mochila for mainstream, urban and outdoor models and morral for sling/messenger items or handcrafted pieces. For lightweight city carry consider nylon options such as best nylon travel totes, and for larger checked luggage needs see best luggage bags in delhi.
When unsure, use mochila as the default term unless the object is clearly a single-strap or traditional satchel; include a brief physical description (straps, closure, material) to remove ambiguity.
Naming specific types: school, travel, hiking
Use the term “mochila escolar” for school models; specify capacity and key features: 15–25 L for elementary, 20–30 L for secondary, “con compartimento para portátil” for laptop protection, “con ruedas” for trolley versions, “con respaldo acolchado” or “tirantes ergonómicos” for comfort.
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Useful shop labels and questions (Spanish phrase – English gloss):
- “Mochila escolar 20 L” – (20 L school bag)
- “¿Tienen mochilas para portátil de 15 litros?” – (Do you have 15‑L laptop bags?)
- “Mochila escolar con ruedas para colegio” – (wheeled school bag)
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Travel: prefer “mochila de viaje”, “mochila de cabina” or “mochila de fin de semana”. Recommended capacities and tags:
- Daypack / city day: 15–30 L – “mochila de día” or “daypack”
- Weekend / short trips: 30–40 L – “mochila de fin de semana”
- Carry‑on / cabin: 35–45 L – “mochila de cabina” or “mochila 40 L apta para cabina”
- Long trips / trekking travel: 50–70+ L – “mochila de viaje 60 L”
Features to list in Spanish: “compartimento principal con cremallera”, “bolsillo para documentos”, “cierre con candado” (lockable zippers), “bolsillo para botella”. Example request: “Busco una mochila de viaje de 40 litros con compartimento para portátil” (I’m looking for a 40‑L travel bag with laptop compartment).
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Hiking: use “mochila de senderismo”, “mochila de montaña” or “mochila de trekking”. Capacity guideline and technical terms:
- Day hikes: 15–30 L – “mochila de senderismo 20 L”
- Overnight / light multi‑day: 30–50 L – “mochila 40 L para travesía”
- Multi‑day / expedition: 50–80+ L – “mochila de montaña 65 L”
- Technical features: “cinturón lumbar”, “sistema de hidratación (compatible con bolsa de agua)”, “armazón interior” or “armazón externo”, “funda impermeable” or “cubremochilas”
Common seller questions: “¿Tiene cinturón lumbar ajustable?” (Does it have an adjustable hip belt?), “¿Es compatible con bolsa de agua?” (Is it hydration‑bladder compatible?), “¿Cuál es la capacidad en litros?” (What is the capacity in liters?).
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Regional note: For casual conversation many countries simply say “mochila”; add the qualifier (escolar, de viaje, de senderismo) to be precise. Use numeric liters and the listed feature keywords when searching or buying to get exact matches.
Regional vocabulary: mochila usage differences across Spain and Latin America
Use “mochila” as the default label for general audiences across Spain and Latin America; adopt regional alternatives (morral, bandolera) or indigenous names (Wayuu, Arhuaca) only when addressing local customers or describing artisanal pieces.
Spain
“Mochila” is the neutral, widely understood term in everyday speech and retail. For messenger-style shoulder bags prefer “bandolera” or “bolsa bandolera.” In product descriptions, list “mochila” first and add “bandolera” as a secondary keyword for cross-shopping; avoid “morral” unless the item has a rustic or vintage aesthetic, where it can sound more traditional.
Latin America
Mexico and Central America: “mochila” dominates; “morral” appears regionally for small canvas or drawstring satchels. Andean countries (Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia): use “mochila” broadly, but highlight specific indigenous styles with their proper names–e.g., “Mochila Wayuu” or “Mochila Arhuaca”–when selling handicrafts. Southern Cone (Argentina, Chile, Uruguay): both “mochila” and “morral” are used; choose “morral” to signal a messenger/heritage leather piece. Caribbean markets treat “mochila” as standard; include “bolso” only for handbags. Localization checklist: primary label = “mochila”; add 2–3 regional synonyms in metadata (morral, bandolera, [indigenous name]); include a short parenthetical clarifier in listings when a regional term might be unfamiliar to international buyers (example: “Morral (canvas shoulder bag)”).
How to request a rucksack at a shop or market
Say: ¿Tiene mochilas? (Pronunciation: ¿tee-eh-neh moh-chee-lahs? – Do you have rucksacks?)
Polite entry: Buenas, ¿me puede ayudar? (Good day, can you help me?) – follow immediately with the specific need.
Specify purpose: Busco una mochila para la universidad / para viajar / para senderismo. (I’m looking for a pack for university / travel / hiking.)
Ask about size and fit: ¿Cabe un portátil de 15 pulgadas? (Will a 15″ laptop fit?) – or ¿Puedo probarla con unos libros? (Can I try it with some books?)
Check materials and protection: ¿Es impermeable? ¿De qué material es? (Is it waterproof? What material is it made of?)
Inspect compartments and comfort: ¿Tiene compartimento para laptop? ¿Las correas están acolchadas? (Does it have a laptop section? Are the straps padded?)
Price and payment: ¿Cuánto cuesta? ¿Aceptan tarjeta? (How much does it cost? Do you accept card?)
Bargaining in markets: ¿Me puede hacer un descuento? ¿Cuál es su mejor precio? (Can you give a discount? What’s your best price?) – try a specific counteroffer instead of a vague ask.
Warranty and repairs: ¿Tiene garantía? (Is there a warranty?) – add ¿Dónde reparan estas mochilas? (Where are these packs repaired?) if long-term use matters.
Colour and availability: ¿La tienen en otro color o talla? (Do you have it in another color or size?) – ask for alternatives by showing a phone photo or sample.
Closing the sale: Perfecto, me la llevo. ¿Me la pueden envolver? (Perfect, I’ll take it. Can you wrap it for me?) – always finish with por favor and gracias.
Grammar notes: gender, plural and common diminutives for mochila
Use la mochila as a feminine noun: la mochila, una mochila. Form the plural regularly by adding -s: las mochilas, unas mochilas. Adjectives agree in gender and number: la mochila roja, las mochilas rojas; adjectives ending in -e or in -ista do not change for gender (la mochila inteligente, las mochilas optimistas).
Possessives follow the same agreement rules: mi mochila, tus mochilas, su mochila, nuestras mochilas. Prepositional constructions: el contenido de la mochila → el contenido del compartimento (de + el → del). With numerals use the plural: dos mochilas nuevas.
Diminutive and augmentative formation
Common diminutive: add -ito/-ita to express small size or affection: mochilita (typical). Alternative diminutive endings such as -illa produce mochililla but are less common. Augmentative with -ón yields mochilón for a very large or heavy item. Examples: Lleva una mochilita para la cámara (small/portable); compró un mochilón para el viaje (very large).
Adjective placement with diminutives follows normal agreement: la mochilita roja, las mochilitas nuevas. Informal shortenings appear in some varieties (e.g., mochi) but are colloquial and region-dependent.
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FAQ:
How do you say “backpack” in Spanish and how is it used?
The most common Spanish word for “backpack” is mochila (feminine). Pronunciation: /moˈtʃila/. Plural: mochilas. You pair it with articles and possessives like any noun: la mochila, una mochila, mi mochila. Common verbs with mochila include llevar la mochila (to carry/wear the backpack), guardar algo en la mochila (to put something in the backpack) and buscar la mochila (to look for the backpack).
