The most common way to say "bag" in French is un sac. But what if you're talking about a handbag, a backpack, or a simple shopping bag? Just like in English, French has a variety of words to describe the specific type of bag you're carrying. Whether you're navigating a bustling Parisian market or packing for a weekend getaway, knowing the right word will make you sound more like a native speaker. Let's dive into nine different ways to say "bag" in French and never be lost for words again!

1. The standard 'bag' – un sac

The most fundamental and versatile word for 'bag' in French is un sac.

Sac is a masculine noun, so you'll always use masculine articles and adjectives with it, like un sac (a bag), le sac (the bag), or mon sac (my bag). The plural is regular: des sacs (bags).

This word is a catch-all term. It can refer to almost any type of bag, from a plastic grocery bag to a designer handbag. If you're unsure which specific word to use, un sac is almost always a safe bet.

To specify the type of bag, French speakers often add a descriptor. This is essential for clarity. Here are the most frequent combinations:

• un sac à main: a handbag or purse
• un sac à dos: a backpack (literally 'a bag for the back')
• un sac de voyage: a travel bag or duffel bag
• un sac de courses: a shopping bag (often a reusable one)
• un sac de couchage: a sleeping bag

You'll often hear the expression l'affaire est dans le sac! This is the direct equivalent of the English idiom 'it's in the bag', meaning that a successful outcome is assured.

💡 * J'ai besoin d'un nouveau sac à dos pour la randonnée.

• Peux-tu me passer le sac de courses dans la voiture ?
• Elle a acheté un très beau sac à main en cuir.
• Ne t'inquiète pas pour l'examen, l'affaire est dans le sac.
• Mon sac de voyage est plein à craquer.

The 'handbag' or 'purse' – un sac à main

The most common and direct way to say “handbag” or “purse” in French is un sac à main.

Let's break down the term. Un sac means “a bag,” and à main literally translates to “by hand.” So, un sac à main is simply “a bag for the hand,” which perfectly describes its function.

A crucial grammar point: sac is a masculine noun. Therefore, you must always use the masculine articles un (a) or le (the). The plural form is des sacs à main, where only sac becomes plural.

While un sac can refer to any kind of bag (like a shopping bag, un sac de courses, or a backpack, un sac à dos), using un sac à main specifically clarifies that you are talking about a woman's purse.

For instance, if you say J'ai perdu mon sac (“I lost my bag”), it could be any bag. But if you say J'ai perdu mon sac à main, everyone will know you've lost your purse.

💡 * J'ai acheté un nouveau sac à main pour le mariage.

• Qu'est-ce que tu as dans ton sac à main ?
• Mon portefeuille est dans mon sac à main.
• Elle a un très beau sac à main en cuir.

The 'backpack' – un sac à dos

To say 'backpack' in French, the standard and most common term is un sac à dos.

Let's break down the components of this phrase: sac means 'bag', à is a preposition meaning 'to' or 'for', and dos means 'back'. So, quite literally, it translates to a 'bag for the back'.

The word sac is a masculine noun. This means you will always use masculine articles with it, such as un sac à dos (a backpack) or le sac à dos (the backpack).

The plural form is des sacs à dos. It's important to note that only the word sac takes an 's' to become plural. The word dos remains unchanged.

This term is used universally for any type of backpack, whether it's for school, hiking, travel, or daily use. It's the go-to word in any situation.

💡 * J'ai besoin d'un nouveau sac à dos pour l'école. (I need a new backpack for school.)

• N'oublie pas de mettre ta bouteille d'eau dans ton sac à dos. (Don't forget to put your water bottle in your backpack.)
• Mon sac à dos est trop lourd avec tous ces livres. (My backpack is too heavy with all these books.)
• Où as-tu acheté ce sac à dos ? (Where did you buy this backpack?)

The 'shopping bag' or 'tote' – un sac de courses

The ‘shopping bag’ or ‘tote’ – un sac de courses

Literally translating to “a bag for errands/shopping,” un sac de courses is the standard term for any bag you use to carry your purchases, from a simple plastic bag to a reusable tote.

The word sac is masculine in French, so the phrase is always masculine. You will see it preceded by un (a) or le (the), such as un sac de courses or le sac de courses.

This is a practical, everyday term. You’ll hear it at the grocery store (supermarché), the market (marché), or any retail shop. It's especially relevant now with the push for reusable bags (sacs réutilisables).

💡 * J'ai besoin d'un nouveau sac de courses ; le mien est cassé. (I need a new shopping bag; mine is broken.)

• N'oubliez pas de prendre les sacs de courses avant de partir au supermarché. (Don't forget to take the shopping bags before leaving for the supermarket.)
• Le caissier m'a demandé si je voulais un sac de courses. (The cashier asked me if I wanted a shopping bag.)
• Mon sac de courses est plein de légumes frais du marché. (My shopping bag is full of fresh vegetables from the market.)

1. The 'travel bag' or 'duffel bag' – un sac de voyage

The most direct and widely used term for a 'travel bag' or 'duffel bag' in French is un sac de voyage.

Literally translating to 'a bag of travel' (un sac = a bag, de voyage = of travel), this term is versatile and covers various types of bags used for trips.

You can use un sac de voyage to refer to anything from a small overnight bag to a larger duffel bag for a longer vacation. It's a standard, neutral term suitable for any context, whether formal or informal.

Remember that sac is a masculine noun, so you'll always use masculine articles and adjectives with it, such as un sac, le sac, or mon sac de voyage.

A similar term you might encounter is un sac de sport (a sports bag/gym bag), which often looks like a duffel bag but is specifically associated with athletic activities.

💡 * J'ai besoin d'un nouveau sac de voyage pour mes vacances. (I need a new travel bag for my vacation.)

• N'oublie pas de mettre ton passeport dans ton sac de voyage. (Don't forget to put your passport in your travel bag.)
• Son sac de voyage est trop lourd pour l'avion. (His/Her travel bag is too heavy for the plane.)

The 'schoolbag' or 'satchel' – un cartable

In French, the specific word for a child's schoolbag, particularly the traditional rectangular satchel carried on the back, is un cartable. It's a masculine noun, so you'll always see it with un or le.

A cartable is typically a structured, rigid bag designed to carry books and notebooks without damaging them. It's most commonly associated with elementary school students (écoliers). This distinguishes it from a more general backpack, which is un sac à dos.

The cartable holds a special place in French culture, especially during la rentrée (the back-to-school period in September). Choosing a new cartable is a major annual ritual for young children and their parents, much like picking out a lunchbox in other cultures.

While a cartable is a type of schoolbag, it's not the only one. Once students enter middle school (collège) around age 11, they almost universally switch to a sac à dos (backpack). Calling a teenager's backpack a cartable would sound incorrect and a bit childish.

💡 * Pour la rentrée, j'ai besoin d'un nouveau cartable. (For the start of the school year, I need a new schoolbag.)

• Mon cartable est très lourd avec tous mes cahiers. (My satchel is very heavy with all my notebooks.)
• Elle a mis son goûter dans la poche avant de son cartable. (She put her snack in the front pocket of her schoolbag.)
• Le petit garçon a choisi un cartable avec des dinosaures. (The little boy chose a schoolbag with dinosaurs on it.)

The 'suitcase' – une valise

The primary French word for a 'suitcase' is une valise. This term is used universally for the typical luggage you would pack for a trip, whether it's a small carry-on or a large checked bag.

It is crucial to note that valise is a feminine noun. Therefore, you must use feminine articles and adjectives with it, such as une valise (a suitcase), la valise (the suitcase), or ma valise est grande (my suitcase is big).

A common and essential verb phrase associated with this noun is faire sa valise, which literally translates to 'to make one's suitcase'. This is the standard French expression for 'to pack one's suitcase'.

💡 * N'oublie pas de faire ta valise avant ce soir. (Don't forget to pack your suitcase before this evening.)

• Ma valise est trop lourde, je dois enlever quelques affaires. (My suitcase is too heavy, I need to take some things out.)
• J'ai acheté une nouvelle valise pour notre voyage en Italie. (I bought a new suitcase for our trip to Italy.)
• Où as-tu mis la petite valise bleue ? (Where did you put the little blue suitcase?)

The 'clutch' or 'pouch' – une pochette

The French word une pochette is a versatile term that translates to a 'clutch,' 'pouch,' 'sleeve,' or 'small bag.' Its meaning depends heavily on the context.

In fashion, une pochette most commonly refers to a clutch—a small, strapless handbag perfect for an evening out when you only need to carry essentials like keys, a phone, and a wallet.

Beyond a handbag, pochette is used for other small, flat containers. You might hear of une pochette de disque (a record sleeve), une pochette à documents (a document folder), or une pochette surprise (a surprise bag or goody bag).

💡 * Elle a acheté une nouvelle pochette pour le mariage de sa sœur.

• Tous les documents de voyage sont dans la pochette bleue.
• J'ai trouvé une vieille pochette de CD avec toutes mes chansons préférées.
• Pour la soirée, je vais prendre ma petite pochette noire.

1. The 'plastic bag' – un sac en plastique

The most direct and common way to say 'a plastic bag' in French is un sac en plastique. This phrase literally breaks down into un sac, meaning 'a bag,' and en plastique, meaning 'made of plastic.' As it's a masculine noun, you use the articles un (a) or le (the).

You will use this term in almost any shopping situation, from the supermarché (supermarket) to the local boulangerie (bakery). A cashier might ask, « Vous voulez un sac ? » (Do you want a bag?), and you can specify by responding, « Oui, un sac en plastique, s'il vous plaît. » (Yes, a plastic bag, please).

Be aware that single-use plastic bags are now often paid for or unavailable in France due to environmental regulations. It's common for people to bring their own sac de courses (shopping bag) or sac réutilisable (reusable bag). If you forget yours, you may have to purchase one at the checkout.

💡 * Au supermarché, j'ai dû payer 10 centimes pour le sac en plastique.

• Pouvez-vous mettre les légumes dans un sac en plastique, s'il vous plaît ?
• Il est préférable d'utiliser un sac réutilisable pour réduire les déchets plastiques.
• J'ai toujours un sac de courses plié dans mon sac à main.

Are there other ways to say 'bag' in French?

Are there other ways to say “bag” in French?

Our list features the most common and essential French words for 'bag'. However, the French language is rich with specific terms for every occasion, from high fashion to backpacking, not to mention regional variations and slang.

You can expand your vocabulary by doing an online search for a specific type of bag, for example, “comment dire 'duffel bag' en français” or by looking into vocabulary from a specific Francophone region.

Context is everything when it comes to bags. The word for a shopping bag (un cabas) is different from a backpack (un sac à dos). Before using a new word, always check its specific meaning and see it used in a sentence.

As you engage with French culture through shopping online, watching movies, or traveling, pay attention to the words people use. You'll quickly discover a wide world of words like pochette, sacoche, and cartable in their natural environment.

For a deeper dive into the nuances and related expressions for different types of bags, the WordReference entry for sac is a fantastic starting point.

I hope this guide has helped you pack your French vocabulary with useful new terms. Knowing the right word for 'bag' is a small but practical skill that makes daily life in a French-speaking environment much easier. Bon voyage et bon shopping !