Translation guide
A small bag or container, often soft and flexible, used for carrying items. In Japanese, the word depends on the type, material, and context.
A small, soft container for holding personal items, often with a drawstring or zipper.
Loanword from English, widely used for small cosmetic bags, pencil cases, or accessory pouches. Neutral and common.
化粧ポーチを忘れた。
I forgot my makeup pouch.
このポーチは小物の整理に便利だ。
This pouch is handy for organizing small items.
Traditional drawstring pouch, often made of cloth. Used for carrying small items, or as a coin purse. Slightly old-fashioned but still common.
祖母が巾着にお金を入れていた。
My grandmother kept money in a drawstring pouch.
Literally 'small bag'. Generic term, but less common in daily conversation. Often used in product descriptions.
アクセサリーを小袋に入れて保管する。
I store accessories in a small pouch.
A pouch designed for a particular purpose, such as for a water bottle, tools, or documents.
Used for rigid or semi-rigid pouches/cases, like glasses cases, pencil cases, or tool pouches. Often combined with the item name.
メガネケースを買った。
I bought a glasses case.
ペンケースの中身を整理した。
I organized the contents of my pencil case.
General word for 'container'. Can be used for pouches when the specific type is clear from context. Casual.
Generic word for 'bag'. Can mean pouch in context, but often implies a larger or simpler bag. Use with modifiers.
The pouch of a marsupial animal like a kangaroo or koala.
Biological term for a marsupial pouch. Used in formal or educational contexts.
カンガルーの赤ちゃんは育児嚢の中で育つ。
A baby kangaroo grows in its mother's pouch.
In everyday conversation, '袋' (fukuro) can be used to refer to a marsupial pouch, often with 'お腹の袋' (belly pouch).
A small compartment or pocket, often built into a larger item.
Standard word for 'pocket'. Used for pouches sewn into clothing or bags.
このリュックには前面にポケットが付いている。
This backpack has a pouch on the front.
Technical term for a storage compartment, used in product descriptions for bags or cases.
バッグの内側に小物用の収納部がある。
There is a pouch for small items inside the bag.
ポーチ (pōchi) is the most common modern word for a small soft pouch, especially for cosmetics or stationery. 巾着 (kinchaku) refers specifically to a traditional drawstring pouch. 袋 (fukuro) is a general word for bag and can be too vague unless context makes it clear.
旅行用のポーチを新調した。
I bought a new travel pouch.
巾着を絞って口を閉じる。
Pull the drawstring to close the pouch.
While ポーチ is common, it may not fit traditional or very large pouches. For a tool pouch on a belt, ツールポーチ or 道具入れ is better. For a kangaroo pouch, use 育児嚢 or 袋.
彼女は小銭を小さな革のポーチに入れている。
She keeps her coins in a small leather pouch.
カンガルーは赤ちゃんを育児嚢に入れて運んだ。
The kangaroo carried its joey in its pouch.
小銭の入れ物を探している。
I'm looking for a coin pouch.
お菓子を入れる袋を持ってきて。
Bring a pouch for the snacks.
コアラの赤ちゃんがお母さんのお腹の袋から顔を出した。
The baby koala peeked out from its mother's pouch.