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.
このかばんはとても軽いです。
This bag is very light.
かばんを忘れました。
I forgot my bag.
Loanword from English, often used for fashion bags, handbags, and in compound words. Sounds slightly more stylish or Western.
新しいバッグを買いました。
I bought a new bag.
A flexible container made of plastic, paper, cloth, or similar material, often without a rigid structure, used for shopping, storage, or carrying loose items.
General word for a bag made of paper, plastic, cloth, etc. Used for shopping bags, garbage bags, pouches, and sacks.
レジ袋をください。
Please give me a plastic shopping bag.
ゴミ袋を買わなきゃ。
I need to buy garbage bags.
Paper bag, often used in boutiques or for gifts.
A bag carried on the back, with two shoulder straps, used for school, hiking, or travel.
The standard word for a backpack. Often shortened to リュック in casual speech.
リュックサックを背負って山に登った。
I climbed the mountain with a backpack on.
このリュックはポケットがたくさんある。
This backpack has a lot of pockets.
Shortened form of リュックサック, very common in everyday conversation.
リュック、重すぎない？
Isn't your backpack too heavy?
Loanword from English, used mainly for travel or hiking backpacks, less common than リュック.
A small to medium-sized bag used by women to carry personal items, often as a fashion accessory.
Specifically a women's handbag, often more formal or dressy.
そのハンドバッグ、素敵ですね。
That handbag is lovely.
General word for a bag, often used for women's bags in fashion contexts.
このバッグはブランド物です。
This bag is a designer brand.
A large bag with a handle, used for carrying clothes and belongings during travel.
Standard word for a suitcase, usually with wheels and a rigid frame.
スーツケースが壊れてしまった。
My suitcase broke.
Literally 'travel bag', a more general term that can include duffel bags or soft suitcases.
A reusable bag, often made of cloth or thick plastic, used for shopping or everyday carrying.
Reusable shopping bag, often foldable, used to reduce plastic waste. Very common in Japan.
エコバッグを持って買い物に行く。
I go shopping with a reusable bag.
A small bag or case for holding specific items like cosmetics, pencils, or coins.
Small pouch, often for cosmetics or small personal items.
化粧ポーチを忘れた。
I forgot my makeup pouch.
Small bag or pouch, often for packaging or organizing small items.
アクセサリーを小袋に入れる。
Put the accessories in a small pouch.
Traditional drawstring pouch, often used for carrying small items or as a lunch bag.
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.
かばんを肩にかける。
I hang my bag on my shoulder.
袋に詰める。
I pack it into a bag.
バッグが欲しい。
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.
Specifically a plastic bag, often the thin kind used for shopping or food storage.
ビニール袋に入れてください。
Please put it in a plastic bag.
紙袋は有料ですか？
Do you charge for paper bags?
I'm looking for a travel backpack.
旅行かばんを新調した。
I bought a new travel bag.
A bag with wheels and a handle, similar to a carry-on suitcase.
キャリーバッグで機内持ち込みできますか？
Can I carry this wheeled bag on board?
Tote bag, often used as a fashion item or casual carry-all.
このトートバッグは丈夫で使いやすい。
This tote bag is sturdy and easy to use.
Literally 'shopping bag', can refer to any bag used for shopping, including plastic bags.
買い物袋を忘れたので、レジ袋をもらった。
I forgot my shopping bag, so I got a plastic bag.
巾着にお菓子を入れた。
I put sweets in the drawstring pouch.