The word "mochila" refers to a type of bag that is carried on the back, typically used for carrying books, supplies, or personal items. In general usage, it often denotes school backpacks, hiking backpacks, or travel bags. It is a common term across various Spanish-speaking countries and sees frequent use in everyday language, more so in oral speech than in formal written contexts, particularly among students and travelers.
Los estudiantes llevan su mochila a la escuela todos los días.
Students take their backpack to school every day.
Olvidé mi mochila en el transporte público.
I forgot my backpack on public transport.
Llevo una mochila grande para el viaje de campamento.
I have a big backpack for the camping trip.
While "mochila" itself may not be a commonly featured word in many idioms, it does appear in ways that express the concept of carrying burdens or responsibilities.
La mochila emocional
The emotional backpack
A veces, todos llevamos una mochila emocional que nos pesa más de lo que creemos.
Sometimes, we all carry an emotional backpack that weighs us down more than we think.
Cargar la mochila
To carry the backpack
Es duro cargar la mochila de responsabilidades en el trabajo.
It is hard to carry the backpack of responsibilities at work.
Despojarse de la mochila
To shed the backpack
Necesitas despojarte de la mochila de la ansiedad y disfrutar del momento.
You need to shed the backpack of anxiety and enjoy the moment.
The term "mochila" is derived from the Arabic word "mukhla," which means "to carry." The word evolved through the Spanish language, where it came to specifically refer to any type of portable bag or sack, particularly those worn on the back.