bolsa de mano
Lemma Details
Translation: handbag; purse; carry-on bag; hand luggage
Part of Speech: noun
Etymology: The term 'bolsa de mano' is a compound noun in Spanish, combining 'bolsa' (bag) and 'mano' (hand) connected by the preposition 'de' (of). 'Bolsa' derives from Late Latin 'bursa' meaning 'leather bag' or 'purse', which also gave English words like 'purse' and 'bursary'. 'Mano' comes from Latin 'manus' (hand), which is the root of English words like 'manual', 'manufacture', and 'manipulate'. The compound literally means 'bag of hand' or 'bag for the hand'.
Commonality: 80%
Guessability: 70%
Register: neutral
Example Usage
Siempre llevo mi bolsa de mano cuando viajo en avión.
I always carry my hand luggage when I travel by plane.
Guardó su pasaporte en la bolsa de mano.
She kept her passport in her handbag.
Las aerolíneas tienen restricciones sobre el tamaño de las bolsas de mano.
Airlines have restrictions on the size of carry-on bags.
Mnemonics
- Think of 'bolsa' as 'purse' and 'mano' as 'hand' - it's literally a 'hand purse'
- Remember that 'manual' in English relates to hands, so a 'bolsa de mano' is a bag you carry manually
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Synonyms
Antonyms
Cultural Context
In Spanish-speaking countries, 'bolsa de mano' can refer both to women's handbags and to carry-on luggage for air travel. The term is widely used in airports and travel contexts. In some regions, particularly in Spain, 'bolso' is more commonly used for women's handbags, while 'bolsa de mano' is more often used for carry-on luggage.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: While 'bolso' and 'bolsa de mano' can both refer to handbags, 'bolso' is more specifically a woman's handbag, while 'bolsa de mano' can also refer to carry-on luggage or any small bag carried by hand.
Confused word:
Compró un bolso de cuero para combinar con sus zapatos nuevos.
She bought a leather handbag to match her new shoes.
Notes: In some regions, these terms may be used interchangeably for women's handbags, but 'bolsa de mano' is more commonly used in airport contexts.
Mnemonic: 'Bolsa de mano' is more general (any hand-carried bag), while 'bolso' is more specific (typically a woman's fashion accessory).
Explanation: 'Bolsa de mano' is a handbag or carry-on luggage, while 'bolsa de trabajo' means 'job bank' or 'employment agency'.
Confused word:
Encontró su trabajo actual a través de una bolsa de trabajo.
She found her current job through an employment agency.
Notes: The word 'bolsa' in Spanish can form many different compound nouns with very different meanings.
Mnemonic: 'Mano' means hand (something you carry), while 'trabajo' means work (related to employment).