This is a discussion thread for the Daily Spanish Word (http://daily.tomisimo.org/) for May 10, 2008

mochila -feminine noun (la), backpack, daypack. Look up mochila in the dictionary (http://www.tomisimo.org/dictionary/spanish_english/mochila)

Es increíble como la moda adapta a las mochilas.
It's incredible, but backpacks keep changing and adapting to current trends.

I say rucksack instead of backpack.

As if there were any doubt that you are a weird bird. :cool:

A rucksack is the same as a backpack, but it's hardly used in the US, although I think it's pretty universally understood.
rucksack = backpack = knapsack = daypack
These are all synonyms, although technically speaking there might be slight variation in meaning. For example, knapsack, daypack and rucksack are necessarily smaller, more casual bags. A backpack can also be small and casual, but it can also refer to a large bag with a frame designed to carry 40 lbs of gear for camping/hiking/backpacking.

Es increíble cómo la moda adapta :bad: las mochilas.

Es increíble cómo la moda transforma las mochilas.
Es increíble cómo las mochilas se adaptan a la moda.
Adaptarse rige la preposición a.
Adaptar no rige preposición, por tanto sólo aparece con a si el CD es personal, pero es un uso extraño, ya que, en el caso de personas, se suele usar el pronominal adaptarse:

Juan se ha adaptado muy bien a su nuevo equipo.
Debemos adaptar a Juan a su nuevo puesto.