Translation guide
The English word 'bag' covers a wide range of containers. In Japanese, the most common general word is かばん, but the best choice depends on the material, shape, and use.
A portable container made of leather, cloth, or similar material, often with a handle or strap, used for carrying personal items.
The most common and versatile word for a bag. It covers handbags, briefcases, school bags, satchels, and similar items. Often written in kanji as 鞄, but kana is very common.
This bag is very light.
I forgot my bag.
Loanword from English, often used for fashion bags, handbags, and in compound words. Sounds slightly more stylish or Western.
A flexible container made of plastic, paper, cloth, or similar material, often without a rigid structure, used for shopping, storage, or carrying loose items.
A bag carried on the back, with two shoulder straps, used for school, hiking, or travel.
A small to medium-sized bag used by women to carry personal items, often as a fashion accessory.
A large bag with a handle, used for carrying clothes and belongings during travel.
A reusable bag, often made of cloth or thick plastic, used for shopping or everyday carrying.
A small bag or case for holding specific items like cosmetics, pencils, or coins.
Small pouch, often for cosmetics or small personal items.
かばん is the safest general word for a bag with a handle or strap, like a handbag or briefcase. 袋 is for flexible bags like plastic or paper bags. バッグ is a loanword often used for fashion bags or in compound words like ハンドバッグ.
I hang my bag on my shoulder.
I bought a new bag.
General word for a bag made of paper, plastic, cloth, etc. Used for shopping bags, garbage bags, pouches, and sacks.
Please give me a plastic shopping bag.
I need to buy garbage bags.
Specifically a plastic bag, often the thin kind used for shopping or food storage.
Please put it in a plastic bag.
Paper bag, often used in boutiques or for gifts.
Do you charge for paper bags?
The standard word for a backpack. Often shortened to リュック in casual speech.
I climbed the mountain with a backpack on.
This backpack has a lot of pockets.
Shortened form of リュックサック, very common in everyday conversation.
Isn't your backpack too heavy?
Loanword from English, used mainly for travel or hiking backpacks, less common than リュック.
I'm looking for a travel backpack.
Specifically a women's handbag, often more formal or dressy.
That handbag is lovely.
General word for a bag, often used for women's bags in fashion contexts.
This bag is a designer brand.
Standard word for a suitcase, usually with wheels and a rigid frame.
My suitcase broke.
Literally 'travel bag', a more general term that can include duffel bags or soft suitcases.
I bought a new travel bag.
A bag with wheels and a handle, similar to a carry-on suitcase.
Can I carry this wheeled bag on board?
Reusable shopping bag, often foldable, used to reduce plastic waste. Very common in Japan.
I go shopping with a reusable bag.
Tote bag, often used as a fashion item or casual carry-all.
This tote bag is sturdy and easy to use.
Literally 'shopping bag', can refer to any bag used for shopping, including plastic bags.
I forgot my shopping bag, so I got a plastic bag.
I forgot my makeup pouch.
Small bag or pouch, often for packaging or organizing small items.
Put the accessories in a small pouch.
Traditional drawstring pouch, often used for carrying small items or as a lunch bag.
I put sweets in the drawstring pouch.
I pack it into a bag.
I want a bag (fashion item).
While バッグ is used for many types of bags, it is not used for thin plastic shopping bags. Use 袋 or ビニール袋 instead.