Translation guide
A flat, rectangular bag with a handle, used for carrying documents, laptops, and work items. Japanese has several common words, and the best choice depends on the style, material, and context.
A typical hard-sided or structured soft briefcase used in business settings, often leather or synthetic.
The direct loanword for 'briefcase'. Widely understood and used for the classic business briefcase.
He has a black briefcase.
A broader term for any business bag, including briefcases. Slightly more casual than ブリーフケース.
I bought a new business bag.
Specifically a hard-sided, often aluminum, attaché case. More rigid and formal than a typical briefcase.
The diplomat entered the conference room with an attaché case.
A softer, often zippered bag for carrying documents and a laptop, common in modern offices.
Literally 'document bag'. A very common, natural term for a bag used to carry papers and work items. Can be soft or structured.
I put my laptop in my briefcase.
A loanword for a soft document bag, often with a shoulder strap. Common in catalogs.
This document bag is light and easy to use.
Any bag that resembles a briefcase, including casual or fashion versions.
The generic word for 'bag'. In context, it can mean briefcase. Use with modifiers like ビジネスの or 仕事の for clarity.
I forgot my work bag (briefcase).
Another generic loanword for 'bag'. Often used in fashion contexts. ビジネスバッグ is more specific.
ブリーフケース typically implies a hard, structured case, while 書類かばん is a softer, more general document bag. In everyday speech, 書類かばん is often used for any work bag that holds papers.
My father cherishes his old briefcase.
My briefcase is heavy and my shoulder hurts.
In casual conversation, Japanese speakers often just say カバン (bag) when the context makes it clear they mean a work bag or briefcase. Adding 仕事の (work) makes it unambiguous.
That bag looks like a briefcase.