empacar instead of hacer?

Question

One of the examples is "Hiciste las maletas?" When or what country would I use the verb "empacar" instead of hacer to refer to "pack the bags?"

Silvia Piriz · Accepted Answer

Hola Deb H.
Yes, both "hacer la maleta" and "empacar" can mean to pack a bag, but their usage depends on the region.

Hacer la maleta (literally "to do/make the suitcase") is more commonly used in Spain and is considered the more neutral or general expression.

Empacar (to pack) is widely used in Latin America, especially in countries like Mexico, Colombia, and parts of Central America. In these regions, you might hear:
¿Ya empacaste? — Have you packed yet?

So, if you’re traveling or speaking with people from Latin America, "empacar" is very natural. If you're learning Peninsular Spanish, you'll likely come across "hacer la maleta" more often.
Both are correct, it just depends on your audience or the variant of Spanish you're aiming for.
Un saludo
Silvia