財布
saifu[sa̠iɸɯ̟]
The English word purse can be translated into Japanese as 財布 (saifu). Wiktionary also lists パース (pāsu) and 札入れ (satsuire).
Meaning: small bag for carrying money (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 財布 | saifu | [sa̠iɸɯ̟] (narrow) |
| パース | pāsu | [pa̠ːsɨ] (narrow) |
| 札入れ | satsuire | [sa̠t͡sɨiɾe̞] (narrow) |
財布 is the standard term used for both a man's wallet and a woman's purse/wallet. For bags carried by hand, the direct translation of the English word handbag is ハンドバッグ.
Which one should you use?
While 財布 is the general term for a wallet or purse, 札入れ specifically refers to a slim holder designed primarily for paper bills.
How do you pronounce it?
saifu
Did you know?
- The word 財布 is a literal description of a 'money cloth'. It is a compound of 'wealth' and 'cloth', referring to the historical practice of carrying coins in small cloth pouches.
- If you ask for a パース in a professional design context, you might be met with confusion. In Japanese, パース is a common shorthand for 'perspective' in architectural drawing.
- Some people believe that placing a 'lucky charm' or a specific coin inside a 財布 will attract more wealth.
Examples in context
- 彼女は財布を奪われた。She was robbed of her purse.This sentence is useful for showing how someone might have had their 財布 stolen.Tatoeba #89913 by bunbuku, translation #313801 by CK
- 彼は私の財布を奪った。He robbed me of my purse.This sentence is useful for showing someone stealing a 財布.Tatoeba #105829 by bunbuku, translation #297858 by CM
- 私は財布を置き忘れた。I left my purse behind.This sentence is useful for describing leaving a 財布 behind.Tatoeba #156835 by bunbuku, translation #257698 by CK
- 彼女はおしゃれな鞄を持っています。She has a stylish purse.
- そのハンドバッグは高級そうですね。That handbag looks luxurious.
- 彼女のがま口はかわいいですね。Her gamaguchi purse is cute.
- あの子はいつも巾着を持っています。That girl always carries a drawstring bag.
- 23 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Yui and Kenta are at a cafe, and Kenta is looking for his belongings.
- 結衣 Yui健太くん、新しい財布を買ったの？Kenta-kun, atarashii saifu o katta no?Kenta, did you buy a new purse?
- 健太 Kentaうん、これは使いやすい財布なんだ。Un, kore wa tsukaiyasui saifu nan da.Yeah, this is a very easy-to-use purse.
- 結衣 Yuiデザインがすごく可愛いね。Dezain ga sugoku kawaii ne.The design is really cute.
- 健太 Kentaありがとう。結衣の財布も素敵だよ。Arigatou. Yui no saifu mo suteki da yo.Thanks. Your purse is lovely too, Yui.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “purse” translations and entries 財布, パース, 札入れ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries パース, 財布, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
