кошелёк
košeljók[kəʂɨˈlʲɵk]masculine
The English word purse is translated into Russian as кошелёк (košeljók). Wiktionary also lists портмоне́ (portmonɛ́) and мошна́ (mošná).
Meaning: small bag for carrying money (noun)
Ways to say it
| Russian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| кошелёк | košeljók | [kəʂɨˈlʲɵk] (narrow) [kəʂɨˈlʲɵk] (Russia, Southern, narrow) |
masculine |
| портмоне́ | portmonɛ́ | neuter | |
| мошна́ | mošná | archaic, feminine | |
| бума́жник | bumážnik | masculine |
The most common and neutral term for a small container used to carry money is кошелёк. In informal settings, you might hear the word Кошелечка used to refer to a small or miniature purse to convey a sense of cuteness or endearment.
Which one should you use?
While кошелёк is the standard term, портмоне́ is a more formal or sophisticated word for a wallet or billfold, often used in high-end or commercial contexts. мошна́ is an archaic term for a purse or pouch and is rarely used in modern daily speech except in historical or literary contexts. бума́жник is another masculine form for a wallet.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of кошелёк is кошельки.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization of кошелёк is košeljók.
Did you know?
- Russian has different words for a wallet and a handbag. While кошелёк is for money, a woman's handbag is су́мочка, and using кошелёк to describe a large bag would be considered a mistake.
- The term портмоне is a direct loanword from French, which is why it sounds more 'expensive' to a Russian ear than the Slavic кошелёк.
- The root of кошелёк is related to the word кош (kosh), which historically referred to a basket or a container made of wicker or skin.
Examples in context
- У кого мой кошелёк?Who's got my purse?This sentence is useful for asking who has your кошелёк.Tatoeba #2886582 by odexed, translation #12964692 by sundown
- Я забыл свой кошелёк.I forgot my purse.This sentence is useful for stating that you forgot your кошелёк.Tatoeba #4919858 by odexed, translation #3635942 by CK
- У меня украли кошелёк.My purse has been stolen.This sentence is useful for reporting that a кошелёк has been stolen.Tatoeba #2594164 by sobr_vamp, translation #1739714 by CM
- Я положил деньги в свой кошелек.I put the money in my purse.
- Я положила кошелек в свою сумку.I put the purse in my bag.
- Я положил деньги в свой бумажник.I put the money in my wallet.
- 28 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Dmitry and Maria are at a cafe after a meal.
- Дмитрий DmitryМария, ты не видела мой кошелёк?Mariya, ty ne videla moy kosholyok?Maria, have you seen my purse?
- Мария MariaНет, я не видела твой кошелёк.Net, ya ne videla tvoy kosholyok.No, I haven't seen your purse.
- Дмитрий DmitryОн лежал здесь, на столе.On lezhal zdes', na stole.It was lying here, on the table.
- Мария MariaПосмотри в своей сумке.Posmotri v svoyey sumke.Look in your bag.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “purse” translations and entries кошелёк, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries кошелёк, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
