equipaje de mano
nounCEFR B1
What does “equipaje de mano” mean in English?
hand luggage, carry-on baggage
hand luggage, carry-on baggage (bags taken into the aircraft cabin rather than checked into the hold)
Example sentences
Me dijeron en el mostrador que mi mochila no cabía como equipaje de mano y que tendría que facturarl aunque en el vuelo anterior de la misma compañía me la habían dejado pasar sin problema.
They told me at the desk that my rucksack didn't fit as hand luggage and that I would have to check it in, even though on the previous flight with the same airline they had let me take it through with no problem.
Si hubiera sabido que la aerolínea cobraba por el equipaje facturado, habría metido todo en la maleta de cabina para no pagar tasas adicionales.
If I had known the airline charged for checked baggage, I would have put everything in the cabin bag to avoid paying extra fees.
How to use it
Equipaje de mano is 'hand luggage' or 'carry-on baggage'. Equipaje is a mass noun (like 'luggage' in English) — it is not normally pluralised. The phrase de mano is invariable. B1 learners should control: llevar algo como equipaje de mano, facturar vs llevar como equipaje de mano, and the measurement/weight restrictions that feature in travel complaint contexts. The contrast with equipaje facturado (checked baggage) is important.
Common mistake
Learners sometimes say '*equipajes de mano' — equipaje is a mass noun and rarely pluralises. In official contexts and signs you will see the singular. Also: maleta de mano and maleta de cabina are common synonyms in speech.