Además, tengo que preparar mi maleta para un viaje importante esta semana.

Besides, I have to pack my suitcase for an important trip this week.

Breakdown of Además, tengo que preparar mi maleta para un viaje importante esta semana.

• yo: I
• importante: important
• mi: my
• para: for
• la semana: the week
• el viaje: the trip
• esta: this
• tener que: to have to
• un: an
• además: besides
• la maleta: the suitcase

Questions & Answers about Además, tengo que preparar mi maleta para un viaje importante esta semana.

What does Además imply in this sentence, and how would I use it in a similar context in Spanish?

Además essentially means “in addition” or “also.” It’s used to add on to something you said before, suggesting you have one more point to make. For example, you might say Además, necesito comprar comida (“Also, I need to buy food”) after listing other things you plan to do.

Why is tengo que used rather than saying debo or necesito?

All three can express obligation, but tengo que is the most common and direct way to say “I have to.” Debo also means “I must,” though it can feel a bit more formal or forceful in everyday conversation. Necesito means “I need to,” which is close in meaning but focuses more on necessity than obligation.

Why is preparar in the infinitive after tengo que?

In Spanish, after phrases of obligation like tengo que, debo, or necesito, you generally use the infinitive form of the verb. So here, because you must do the action of preparing, preparar remains in its infinitive form (instead of preparo or preparas).

Could maleta mean anything other than “suitcase”? Could I use equipaje here?

Maleta usually refers to a suitcase or bag that you carry when traveling. Equipaje is a broader term for “luggage” in general. If you really want to emphasize all your travel bags, you can say preparar mi equipaje, but if you’re specifically talking about your suitcase, then maleta is most accurate.

Does esta semana refer to the current week or the upcoming week?

Esta semana literally means “this week,” so it usually refers to the same calendar week you’re in. However, in everyday speech, it can also mean the upcoming week if you’re still in the previous weekend or simply talking about near-future plans. Context helps clarify exactly which days you have in mind.