Translation guide
In Japanese, the word for 'baggage' depends on context: travel luggage, emotional baggage, or figurative burdens. The most common term is 荷物 (にもつ), which covers luggage, packages, and personal belongings. For emotional or psychological baggage, metaphorical expressions are used.
Referring to bags, suitcases, or personal belongings carried while traveling.
I'd like to check my baggage.
The luggage is heavy.
Carry-on luggage or hand baggage. Specifically refers to bags you carry with you onto a plane or train.
Can I bring my carry-on baggage on board?
Suitcase. A loanword from English, commonly used for wheeled travel cases.
My suitcase broke.
Travel bag. A more specific term for a bag used during travel, less common than 荷物.
I bought a new travel bag.
Referring to past emotional burdens, trauma, or unresolved issues that affect a person.
Literally 'baggage of the heart.' A common metaphorical expression for emotional baggage.
He carries emotional baggage.
Past trauma. Often used in psychological contexts to describe baggage from past experiences.
Heavy burden. Can be used metaphorically for emotional or psychological weight.
Referring to something that hinders progress or adds difficulty, like 'baggage' in a non-physical sense.
Shackles, fetter. Figuratively, something that holds you back, like baggage.
That old habit is a baggage (hindrance).
A burden or dead weight (often used for a person who is a liability). Polite prefix お softens it, but it can be sarcastic.
Can be rude if used directly about a person.
荷物 is the broadest term for any luggage or belongings. 手荷物 specifically means carry-on items. スーツケース is a suitcase. Use 荷物 for general baggage, 手荷物 when discussing airline carry-on rules, and スーツケース when referring to the physical case.
The baggage arrived.
Only one piece of carry-on baggage is allowed.
I want to replace my suitcase.
While 心の荷物 is understood, it is not as common as English 'emotional baggage.' In casual conversation, Japanese speakers might simply describe the issue directly (e.g., 過去のことを引きずっている 'I'm dragging the past'). Use 心の荷物 in more reflective or literary contexts.
The baggage from the past hasn't healed yet.
その秘密は彼にとって重荷だった。
That secret was a heavy burden (baggage) for him.
彼はチームのお荷物だ。
He's a baggage (liability) to the team.