La maleta está casi lista, y además llevo un regalo especial para mi primo.

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Breakdown of La maleta está casi lista, y además llevo un regalo especial para mi primo.

• mi: my
• estar: to be
• para: for
• y: and
• llevar: to bring
• el regalo: the gift
• especial: special
• el primo: the cousin
• ,: comma
• además: besides
• la maleta: the suitcase
• casi: almost
• listo: ready

Questions & Answers about La maleta está casi lista, y además llevo un regalo especial para mi primo.

Why is la used instead of el when referring to maleta?

In Spanish, maleta (suitcase) is a feminine noun. All feminine nouns generally take the article la (e.g., la mesa, la casa, la maleta), whereas masculine nouns take el (e.g., el libro, el coche, el regalo).

Why do we use está casi lista and not es casi lista?

Estar (in está) describes a temporary or changing state, like being almost ready. Using ser (in es) would imply a more permanent characteristic. Here, the suitcase is almost ready for a trip, so está indicates a condition that can change.

How is además functioning in this sentence?

Además essentially means in addition or also. It works as a connector adding more information: in this case, after describing the suitcase’s status, the speaker emphasizes that they are also taking a special gift.

Why is llevo used here?

In this context, llevo comes from llevar, which commonly means to carry, to take, or to bring. Here, it indicates that the speaker is bringing the gift with them, carrying it along on their trip.

Why do we say para mi primo and not something else?

Para often indicates a recipient or purpose. In this sentence, the gift is destined for the cousin, so para mi primo means for my cousin. If we said a mi primo, it might suggest direction (e.g., giving something to him directly), but para mi primo highlights that the gift is intended for him.