How to say "purse" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 財布さいふnounCovers the sense of a small container for money, cards, and coins — the American 'wallet' and the older British 'purse'. This is the word you almost always want when 'purse' means something money is kept in.
- nounCovers the American sense of 'purse' as a woman's handbag carried outside the clothing. Use this when 'purse' refers to the bag itself rather than to something holding money.私のハンドバッグをどうしたの？↗What did you do with my purse?
- 手提げてさげnounMeans a carried bag or tote in general; 'purse' appears only as a secondary gloss. It is seldom the word you want for 'purse' — reach for 財布 or ハンドバッグ instead.
For the everyday money-holder sense use 財布; 「ハンドバッグ」 covers the handbag sense; 「手提げ」 is a carried bag and is a marginal choice for 'purse'.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
See also
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