Checking in an overweight suitcase in Spanish

1. 1
   maleta/maˈleta/

   suitcasenoun

   A case with a handle and wheels where you put your clothes when you travel.
2. 2
   sobrepeso/sobɾeˈpeso/

   excess weightnoun

   Weight beyond what is allowed or what something should have.
3. 3
   báscula/ˈbaskula/

   scalenoun

   A device used to find out how much something or someone weighs.
4. 4
   equipaje/ekiˈpaxe/

   luggagenoun

   The suitcases and bags you bring on a trip.
5. 5
   mostrador/mostɾaˈdoɾ/

   counternoun

   A long table in a business where someone serves you.
6. 6
   kilo/ˈkilo/

   kilonoun

   A unit of weight equal to a thousand grams.
7. 7
   documentar/dokumenˈtaɾ/

   to check inverb

   To register something in writing so there is a record of it.
8. 8
   pesar/peˈsaɾ/

   to weighverb

   To measure how much something weighs, almost always by putting it on a scale.
9. 9
   sacar/saˈkaɾ/

   to take outverb

   To remove something from the closed place where it was and put it outside.
10. 10
    prohibido/pɾoiˈbido/

    forbiddenadjective

    Not allowed by a rule or a law.

The sentences

1. ¿Pongo la maleta en la báscula o en la banda?

   Do I put the suitcase on the scale or on the belt?

2. Tu maleta tiene sobrepeso, hay que sacar algo.

   Your suitcase is over the limit, we need to take something out.

3. La báscula del mostrador marca tres kilos de más.

   The scale at the counter shows three extra kilos.

4. ¿Dónde documento el equipaje para el vuelo de la mañana?

   Where do I check in my luggage for the morning flight?

5. La fila del mostrador avanza muy despacio hoy.

   The line at the counter is moving really slowly today.

6. Te sobra un kilo, saca el abrigo de la maleta.

   You're one kilo over, take the coat out of the suitcase.

7. ¿Cuántas maletas puedo documentar sin pagar de más?

   How many suitcases can I check in without paying extra?

8. ¿Puedo pesar la maleta antes de hacer la fila?

   Can I weigh the suitcase before getting in line?

9. Voy a sacar dos libros de la maleta.

   I'm going to take two books out of the suitcase.

10. ¿Está prohibido llevar esto en el equipaje de mano?

    Is it forbidden to carry this in your carry-on luggage?

Pronunciation

• báscula/ˈbaskula/

  The stress falls on the first syllable: BÁS-cu-la, not bas-CU-la.

• equipaje/ekiˈpaxe/

  The j is strong, coming from the throat: e-ki-pa-je.

• prohibido/pɾoiˈbido/

  The h is silent, and the o and the i run together: pro-i-BI-do.

Questions

How do you say the suitcase is over the weight limit in Spanish?

You can say: tu maleta tiene sobrepeso, hay que sacar algo.

What does documentar mean here?

Documentar means to register something in writing so there is a record, like when you check in a suitcase before a flight.

How do you ask to weigh your suitcase in Spanish?

You can ask: ¿puedo pesar la maleta antes de hacer la fila?