錢包 / 钱包
qiánbāo
The English word 'purse' can be translated into Chinese as 錢包 / 钱包 (qiánbāo). If unsure, use 錢包 / 钱包. Wiktionary also lists 錢袋 / 钱袋 (qiándài).
Meaning: small bag for carrying money (noun)
Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 錢包 / 钱包 | qiánbāo |
| 錢袋 / 钱袋 | qiándài |
The term 钱包 is the most common way to refer to a purse in Mandarin Chinese. For a more general and informal way to say 'purse', you can use 包, though this word is more commonly used to refer to any type of bag rather than specifically a purse.
Which one should you use?
While 钱包 refers to a modern wallet or purse, 錢袋 / 钱袋 refers to a more traditional or literal money pouch or bag.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
qiánbāo
Did you know?
- In ancient China, money was often carried in 钱袋 tied to the waist, as clothing lacked the pockets common in Western attire.
- The character 包 in 钱包 means 'to wrap' or 'bundle'. This reflects a cultural history where money was folded into cloth or paper and tied, rather than placed in a leather folder.
- In many Chinese contexts, the word 包 (bāo) is so versatile that it can refer to a handbag, a suitcase, or even a bun, depending on the context.
Examples in context
- 我喜欢你的钱包。I like your purse.
- 她总是携带着她的手提包。She always carries her handbag.
- 你的包很漂亮。Your purse is very beautiful.
- 他把钱放进了钱夹。He put the money into the purse.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “purse” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
