valise
/va.liz/feminine
In French, the word for suitcase is valise.
The word valise refers specifically to a large piece of luggage, typically a structured suitcase.
Meaning: large piece of luggage (noun)
Which one should you use?
It is important to distinguish valise from other terms. While valise refers to a specific suitcase, bagage is the uncountable noun used for luggage in general. Additionally, you should use valise for a structured suitcase, whereas sac is used for a soft bag or a backpack (sac à dos).
How does it change in a sentence?
The word valise is a feminine noun. To form the plural, you add an 's' to the end, resulting in les valises or des valises.
How do you pronounce it?
/va.liz/
Did you know?
- In French, the phrase faire sa valise is used not only for travel but can colloquially imply that someone is being asked to leave a place permanently.
- In historical French contexts, a valise was often a saddlebag used by couriers and soldiers before the modern hard-sided suitcase existed.
- The origin of valise is a mystery, as it may trace back to the Arabic word walīha, meaning a 'large bag'.
Examples in context
- Où est ta valise ?Where's your suitcase?This sentence is useful for asking about the location of a suitcase.Tatoeba #3628022 by fleur74, translation #1886589 by CK
- J'ai fait ta valise.I packed your suitcase for you.This sentence shows how to say someone packed a suitcase.Tatoeba #2497483 by sacredceltic, translation #1887609 by CK
- J'ai posé ma valise.I put down my suitcase.This sentence is useful for describing the action of putting down a suitcase.Tatoeba #11574550 by Aiji, translation #5916666 by CK
- Je dois préparer ma valise pour le voyage.I need to pack my suitcase for the trip.
- Le compartiment pour les valises se trouve à l'arrière du train.The luggage compartment is at the back of the train.
- 141 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucas and Manon are at the train station.
- LucasOù est ta valise, Manon ?Where is your suitcase, Manon?
- ManonElle est sur le quai.It is on the platform.
- LucasJe vais chercher la valise pour toi.I will go get the suitcase for you.
- ManonMerci beaucoup, Lucas !Thank you very much, Lucas!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “suitcase” translations and entries valise, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries valise, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
