sac à dos
/sa.k‿a do/masculine
The French word for backpack is sac à dos. Wiktionary also lists cabas.
Meaning: worn on a person's back, e.g., for hiking (noun)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| sac à dos | /sa.k‿a do/ | masculine |
| cabas | /ka.ba/ /ka.bɑ/ |
Louisiana, masculine |
A backpack is a bag worn on a person's back, e.g., for hiking (noun).
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase sac à dos literally translates to bag for back.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Louisiana French, the word cabas is used to mean a bag or backpack.
How does it change in a sentence?
When using the plural form sacs à dos, only the word sac takes an s, while dos remains singular.
How do you pronounce it?
/sa.k‿a do/
Did you know?
- The French word for 'bag', sac, actually has its ultimate origins in a Semitic word via Ancient Greek.
- In some regional contexts, cabas refers specifically to a large open basket used for shopping rather than a strapped backpack.
- In France, the word sac is used for everything from a luxury handbag to a trash bag, whereas sac à dos is strictly for the back.
Examples in context
- Pose ton sac à dos.Put down your backpack.This sentence is useful for telling someone to put down their sac à dos.Tatoeba #11238064 by lbdx, translation #4501592 by CK
- Tom a mis son sac à dos.Tom put on his backpack.This sentence shows how to say someone put on their sac à dos.Tatoeba #5489875 by Aiji, translation #3155836 by CK
- Il est dans mon sac à dos.It's in my backpack.This sentence is used to say something is inside a sac à dos.Tatoeba #8185526 by Aiji, translation #2647655 by CK
- Puis-je mettre mon livre dans mon sac à dos?Can I put my book in my backpack?
- Mon fils a besoin d'un sac à dos d'école neuf cette année.My son needs a new school backpack this year.
- Ma sœur a oublié son sac d'école à la maison aujourd'hui.My sister forgot her school backpack at home today.
- Les enfants mettent leurs cahiers dans leur cartable.The children put their notebooks in their backpacks.
- 16 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Léa and Hugo are preparing for a hike in the mountains.
- LéaHugo, as-tu ton sac à dos ?Hugo, do you have your backpack?
- HugoOui, mon sac à dos est prêt.Yes, my backpack is ready.
- LéaEst-ce qu'il est confortable ?Is it comfortable?
- HugoOui, il est parfait pour la randonnée.Yes, it is perfect for hiking.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “backpack” translations and entries sac à dos, cabas, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cabas, dos, sac, sac à dos, à, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
