Fazer as malas.
To pack suitcases.
Literally: {"fazer":"to do\/to make","as":"the","malas":"suitcases\/bags"}
In 15 Seconds
- Packing your bags for a trip.
- Common Portuguese phrase for preparing luggage.
- Used in everyday conversations about travel.
- Includes the whole process of getting ready.
Meaning
This phrase is all about getting ready for a trip. It literally means 'to make the suitcases.' But really, it's the whole process of gathering your clothes, toiletries, and whatever else you need. Think of it as the pre-travel hustle, the exciting (or sometimes stressful!) part before you hit the road or the skies. It carries a vibe of anticipation and preparation.
Key Examples
3 of 12Texting a friend about an upcoming trip
Ainda nem comecei a `fazer as malas`! Que loucura!
I haven't even started packing yet! How crazy!
Planning a family vacation
Ok, pessoal, vamos começar a `fazer as malas` no fim de semana?
Okay, everyone, shall we start packing this weekend?
On a travel vlog
Oi, gente! Hoje vou mostrar como eu `faço as minhas malas` para uma viagem internacional.
Hi, people! Today I'm going to show you how I pack my bags for an international trip.
Cultural Background
Brazilians often use 'arrumar as malas' interchangeably with 'fazer as malas'. In Portugal, 'fazer as malas' is the most standard and widely used form. Packing is often seen as a communal activity when traveling with family.
Plural is key
Always use 'as malas' (plural) even if you only have one suitcase.
Regional variation
If you are in Brazil, 'arrumar as malas' is just as natural as 'fazer as malas'.
In 15 Seconds
- Packing your bags for a trip.
- Common Portuguese phrase for preparing luggage.
- Used in everyday conversations about travel.
- Includes the whole process of getting ready.
What It Means
'Fazer as malas' is your go-to phrase for packing. It’s not just about stuffing clothes into a bag. It’s the entire action of preparing your luggage for a journey. Imagine you're heading out on vacation or even a business trip. This is what you do before you leave home. It’s the physical act of getting your stuff ready to travel.
How To Use It
You use fazer as malas when you're talking about the act of packing. It's a verb phrase, so it fits into sentences like any other verb. You'll conjugate fazer based on who is packing and when. For example, 'Eu vou fazer as malas' means 'I am going to pack.' It’s super common and fits most situations where packing is involved. Don't overthink it; if you're packing, you're likely fazendo as malas.
Real-Life Examples
- At home: "Preciso
fazer as malaspara a viagem de amanhã." (I need to pack for tomorrow's trip.) - Texting a friend: "Ainda não comecei a
fazer as malas, que preguiça!" (I haven't started packing yet, I'm so lazy!) - Travel vlog intro: "Oi pessoal! Hoje vamos
fazer as malasjuntos para uma aventura nas montanhas!" (Hi everyone! Today we're packing together for a mountain adventure!) - Packing list context: "Lembre-se de
fazer as malascom antecedência para não esquecer nada." (Remember to pack in advance so you don't forget anything.)
When To Use It
Use fazer as malas specifically when you are talking about the physical act of preparing luggage for travel. This applies whether it's a weekend getaway, a long vacation, or even a short business trip. It's the moment you gather your belongings and put them into your bags. Think of it as the 'getting ready to go' phase. It’s perfect for everyday conversations about upcoming trips. It’s also great for planning discussions with family or friends about who needs to pack what.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use fazer as malas if you're just talking about buying luggage. Buying a suitcase is comprar uma mala, not fazer as malas. Also, avoid it if you mean 'to unpack' – that's desfazer as malas. It's not for talking about general organization unless it's directly related to packing for a trip. If you're just tidying your room, you're arrumando o quarto, not fazendo as malas. That would be like saying 'I'm making the suitcases' when you're just dusting your bookshelf – it doesn't quite fit!
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes mix up fazer as malas with other related actions. Forgetting the as malas part is a big one. Or using a different verb. It’s like trying to bake a cake without flour – something’s missing!
Fazer a viagem
✓Fazer as malas (This means 'to make the trip', not pack.)
Preparar as malas
✓Fazer as malas (While understandable, fazer is the standard collocation.)
Arrumar as malas
✓Fazer as malas (Arrumar can mean 'to tidy up', so fazer is clearer for packing.)
Levar as malas
✓Fazer as malas (Levar means 'to take' or 'carry'.)
Similar Expressions
While fazer as malas is the most common, you might hear variations. Arrumar as malas is sometimes used, but it can be ambiguous. It could mean tidying up your bags or packing. Preparar as malas is more formal and less common in everyday chat. Think of it like the difference between 'gonna pack' and 'shall prepare my luggage for departure'. Fazer as malas is the comfortable, everyday choice, like your favorite worn-in jeans.
Common Variations
You'll mostly hear fazer as malas as is. Sometimes, people might shorten it in very casual speech, like just saying "Vou fazer" if the context of packing is super clear. Or they might use malas for any type of travel bag, not just suitcases. It’s like calling all tissues 'Kleenex' – it just works. You might also hear regional differences, but fazer as malas is universally understood across Portuguese-speaking countries. It’s the standard, like the 'play' button on YouTube.
Memory Trick
Imagine a Mala (suitcase) that you need to Fazer (make or prepare). Picture yourself making a giant, fancy mala out of cardboard for a play. You’re literally making the mala ready for its journey! Or, think of Mala sounding like 'Mail-a' – you’re preparing the mail-a (suitcase) to be sent off on a trip. It’s a bit silly, but silly sticks!
Quick FAQ
Q. Is fazer as malas only for big trips?
A. Nope! You can use it for any kind of travel, big or small. A weekend trip counts!
Q. Can I say preparar as malas?
A. You can, but fazer as malas is much more common and natural in daily conversation. Preparar sounds a bit more formal or serious.
Q. What if I'm unpacking?
A. That's the opposite! You'd say desfazer as malas. It’s like undoing the packing.
Usage Notes
This phrase is very common and generally neutral in formality, making it suitable for most everyday conversations about travel. Avoid using it in highly formal written documents where 'preparar a bagagem' might be preferred. A common pitfall for learners is confusing it with 'fazer a viagem' (to travel).
Plural is key
Always use 'as malas' (plural) even if you only have one suitcase.
Regional variation
If you are in Brazil, 'arrumar as malas' is just as natural as 'fazer as malas'.
Examples
12Ainda nem comecei a `fazer as malas`! Que loucura!
I haven't even started packing yet! How crazy!
Shows a common, slightly stressed reaction to the task of packing.
Ok, pessoal, vamos começar a `fazer as malas` no fim de semana?
Okay, everyone, shall we start packing this weekend?
Suggesting a time to begin the packing process.
Oi, gente! Hoje vou mostrar como eu `faço as minhas malas` para uma viagem internacional.
Hi, people! Today I'm going to show you how I pack my bags for an international trip.
Demonstrating the packing process, making it relatable.
A melhor parte de viajar é `fazer as malas` com expectativa! ✈️
The best part of traveling is packing with anticipation! ✈️
Expressing the positive emotion associated with preparing for a trip.
E aí, já `fez as malas`? Te encontro no aeroporto às 10h.
Hey, have you packed yet? See you at the airport at 10 AM.
Checking if the friend has completed the packing task.
Agradeço a oportunidade e já estou `fazendo as malas` para esta nova jornada profissional.
I appreciate the opportunity and am already preparing for this new professional journey.
Figurative use, meaning preparing mentally and practically for a new role.
Minha mala depois de `fazer as malas`: parece que um furacão passou por aqui.
My suitcase after packing: it looks like a hurricane went through here.
Joking about the messy state of packing.
✗ Eu preciso `arrumar as malas` para viajar amanhã. → ✓ Eu preciso `fazer as malas` para viajar amanhã.
✗ I need to tidy the suitcases for traveling tomorrow. → ✓ I need to pack the suitcases for traveling tomorrow.
`Arrumar` can mean 'to tidy up', making `fazer` the clearer choice for packing.
✗ Vamos `preparar as malas` logo! → ✓ Vamos `fazer as malas` logo!
✗ Let's prepare the suitcases soon! → ✓ Let's pack the suitcases soon!
`Preparar` is less common and sounds more formal than the everyday `fazer`.
É crucial `fazer as malas` com pelo menos 24 horas de antecedência.
It is crucial to pack at least 24 hours in advance.
Used in a more structured, advisory context.
Lembro que foi muito divertido `fazer as malas` com meus amigos antes da festa.
I remember it was really fun packing with my friends before the party.
Recalling a positive memory associated with the act of packing.
Comprei umas malas novas, agora só falta `fazer as malas`!
I bought some new suitcases, now I just need to pack!
Contrasting the purchase of luggage with the act of packing.
Test Yourself
Complete the sentence.
Eu preciso _____ as malas para amanhã.
The collocation is 'fazer as malas'.
Which is correct?
Choose the correct phrase.
The plural 'as malas' is standard.
Match the meaning.
Fazer as malas = ?
It means to prepare luggage.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Você já está pronto? B: Não, ainda estou _____.
This is the correct context for packing.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesEu preciso _____ as malas para amanhã.
The collocation is 'fazer as malas'.
Choose the correct phrase.
The plural 'as malas' is standard.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
It means to prepare luggage.
A: Você já está pronto? B: Não, ainda estou _____.
This is the correct context for packing.
🎉 Score: /4
Video Tutorials
Find video tutorials on YouTube for this phrase.
Frequently Asked Questions
6 questionsYes, but it implies you only have one bag. 'As malas' is safer.
No, it is neutral and very common in daily life.
You can still use it, or say 'fazer a mudança'.
Yes, it is the standard term there.
Usually no, 'fazer a mochila' is better for backpacks.
Use 'desfazer as malas'.
Related Phrases
Arrumar as malas
synonymTo tidy/pack bags
Fazer a mala
specialized formPacking a single bag
Levar as malas
contrastTo carry the bags
