Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| bolsa | /ˈbolsa/ | feminine |
| monedero | /moneˈdeɾo/ | masculine |
The term refers to a small bag used for carrying money.
Which one should you use?
bolsa is a general term that can mean both a small purse and a larger bag, such as a shopping bag.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In several Spanish-speaking countries, bolso is used to refer to a purse and this term is especially common in Spain and Argentina. In many Latin American countries, the word cartera is commonly used to refer to a woman's handbag or purse. If you are describing a purse with a casual design, such as a backpack-style purse, you might use morral.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
bolsa is a feminine noun, while monedero is a masculine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈbolsa/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often use bolsa to mean a handbag, but in many Spanish-speaking regions, a handbag is more specifically called a cartera.
When do people say it?
In some regions, cartera can also specifically mean a wallet.
Did you know?
- In Spanish, bolsa refers to both a purse and the stock market.
- While cartera means 'purse' in many regions, it is also the word for a 'mail carrier' or 'postman' in others.
- The English word 'burse', used in terms like 'exchequer', is a direct linguistic relative of the Spanish bolsa.
Examples in context
- Llevaba una bolsa de seda.She carried a silk purse.This sentence is useful for describing the material of a bolsa.Tatoeba #2259113 by cueyayotl, translation #2259112 by _undertoad
- ¿Qué hiciste con mi bolsa?What did you do with my purse?This sentence shows how to ask about the status of a bolsa.Tatoeba #3804691 by cueyayotl, translation #250382 by Eldad
- La bolsa de Mary está vacía.Mary's purse is empty.This sentence illustrates how to describe the contents of a bolsa.Tatoeba #7950038 by Seael, translation #9947726 by DJ_Saidez
- Me olvidé mi bolsa en el automóvilI forgot my purse in the car
- Necesito comprar una cartera nuevaI need to buy a new purse
- ¿Has visto mi bolso? No puedo encontrarloHave you seen my purse? I can't find it
- Me encanta tu bolsito, ¿dónde lo compraste?I love your purse, where did you buy it?
- 16 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sofía and Mateo are getting ready to leave a restaurant.
- SofíaNo encuentro mi bolsa.I can't find my purse.
- MateoEstá sobre la mesa, Sofía.It is on the table, Sofía.
- SofíaTienes razón, gracias, Mateo.You are right, thanks, Mateo.
- MateoDe nada, vamos a salir.You're welcome, let's go out.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “purse” translations and entries bolsa, monedero, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bolsa, monedero, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
