Learn Hardcore Spanish (Latin America): Yo declaro mi equipaje en la aduana cuando llego a la frontera. - I declare my luggage at customs when I arrive at the border.

In Spanish the verb ending declaro already tells you the subject is “I.” Speakers usually drop yo. Here it’s included for extra clarity or emphasis (“I myself declare…”), but it isn’t grammatically required.

Why do we use declaro (present simple) instead of a progressive form like “estoy declarando”?

Spanish uses the simple present to talk about habitual actions, factual statements, or steps in a procedure. Declaring luggage at customs is seen as a simple, complete action rather than an ongoing one, so declaro is more natural than estoy declarando.

What exactly does declarar mean in this context?

Here declarar means “to declare” as in “to inform the customs officers about what you’re bringing.” It’s a formal, legal declaration, not just saying something out loud.

Why is it mi equipaje (singular) instead of mis equipajes (plural)?

Equipaje is an uncountable (mass) noun in Spanish, like “luggage” in English. You don’t usually pluralize it because it refers to all your bags collectively.

Why do we say en la aduana – is en always the right preposition with aduana?

Yes. En indicates location (“at customs”). You declare your luggage en la aduana (“at the customs office”). If you wanted to stress movement toward it, you would use a la aduana (“to the customs office”) but here the focus is on the action taking place at that spot.

Why is the article la used before aduana? Could I say just en aduana?

Most regions require the definite article with aduana: en la aduana. Omitting it (en aduana) sounds odd or overly telegraphic. In colloquial speech you might hear en aduanas (plural), especially on signs: Declaración en aduanas.

Why is the clause cuando llego a la frontera also in the present tense? Shouldn’t we use the future if we haven’t arrived yet?

In Spanish, time clauses introduced by cuando (when) use the present tense to talk about the future. So cuando llego can mean “when I arrive (later).” The future form llegaré is not used after cuando in standard Spanish.

What role does the a play in llego a la frontera?

The verb llegar (to arrive) requires a before a destination. You arrive a un lugar (to a place). So, llego a la frontera = “I arrive at the border.”

Could we reorder the sentence and say Cuando llego a la frontera, declaro mi equipaje en la aduana?

Yes. Spanish allows you to start with the time clause Cuando llego a la frontera for emphasis or style. The meaning stays the same. It’s a matter of preference or rhythm.

Can I replace mi equipaje with el equipaje?

You could say declaro el equipaje if context makes clear whose luggage it is (for example, “the luggage on this flight”), but mi equipaje is more specific and natural when talking about your own belongings.