How to Say "Purse" in French - How To Say Guide

sac à main

/sa.k‿a mɛ̃/

The English phrase "purse" is translated into French as sac à main.

In French, sac à main is used to refer to a small bag used for carrying money.

Meaning: small bag for carrying money (noun)

What does it mean word for word?

The phrase sac à main literally translates to "bag for hand".

While sac à main refers to a handbag, if you are specifically talking about a small pouch or wallet used for coins, you should use porte-monnaie.

The noun sac is masculine, which is why the indefinite article un is used in the phrase un sac à main.

/sa.k‿a mɛ̃/

The phrase sac à main is thought to be a 'calque', meaning it was likely a direct structural imitation of the English expression 'handbag' created in the early 20th century.
France is the global epicenter of 'haute maroquinerie', the high-art of luxury leather bag making.
In a formal context, if you are describing a person's belongings, using sac à main specifically implies a feminine accessory, whereas sac alone is gender-neutral and can apply to anyone's bag.

As-tu un sac à main ?
Do you have a purse?
This sentence is useful for asking if someone has a sac à main.
Tatoeba #11943229 by zogwarg, translation #11943223 by CK
Il m'a volé mon sac à main.
He robbed me of my purse.
This sentence is useful for describing someone being robbed of their sac à main.
Tatoeba #11721367 by lbdx, translation #297858 by CM
On lui a volé son sac à main.
She was robbed of her purse.
This sentence is useful for describing a woman being robbed of her sac à main.
Tatoeba #8412040 by lbdx, translation #313801 by CK
Je mets mon portefeuille dans mon sac à main .
I put my wallet in my purse.
As-tu vu ma petite pochette ?
Have you seen my small purse?
27 more sentences on Tatoeba

Léa and Lucas are at a café.

Sources

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