When you're packing for a trip to a French-speaking country, one of the first things you'll grab is your wallet. But what do you call it in French? The most common word you'll learn is portefeuille, but just like in English, there are several other ways to refer to this essential accessory. Depending on the context, the size, or even the style, the word you use might change. Getting these terms right can make you sound more like a native speaker and help you understand conversations more clearly. Ready to expand your vocabulary beyond the basics? Let's dive into 9 different ways to say 'wallet' in French!

The standard 'wallet' – un portefeuille

The standard 'wallet' – un portefeuille

Un portefeuille is the most common and standard French word for a wallet, suitable for carrying banknotes, cards, and identification.

The word literally combines porter (to carry) and feuille (a leaf or sheet of paper). It's a 'sheet-carrier,' which perfectly describes its function of holding paper money and documents.

This term is universally understood in all situations, from casual shopping to formal business. It's the go-to, all-purpose word for a wallet.

It's important not to confuse un portefeuille with un porte-monnaie. A portefeuille is for paper money and cards, whereas a porte-monnaie is specifically a coin purse. While some wallets have a coin compartment, the main term for a billfold remains portefeuille.

Remember that portefeuille is a masculine noun, so you always use masculine articles and adjectives with it, such as un portefeuille or mon portefeuille.

💡 * J'ai oublié mon portefeuille à la maison.

• Il a un portefeuille en cuir noir très élégant.
• Combien coûte ce portefeuille dans la vitrine ?
• Mon portefeuille ne contient que des cartes, pas d'argent liquide.

The 'coin purse' – un porte-monnaie

A common and practical item you'll see everywhere in France is the un porte-monnaie, which translates directly to a 'coin purse'.

This is a compound noun that's easy to remember if you break it down. It combines the verb porter (to carry) and the noun la monnaie (coins, change). So, it's literally a 'change-carrier'!

It's important to distinguish un porte-monnaie from un portefeuille (a wallet). While a portefeuille holds bills and cards, a porte-monnaie is specifically for coins. Many people carry both to keep their money organized.

In France, using cash for small purchases at the boulangerie (bakery), market, or local café is still very frequent. Having a porte-monnaie makes it easy to handle coins without fumbling through a larger wallet.

Grammatically, porte-monnaie is a masculine noun. Therefore, you always use masculine articles and agreements, such as un porte-monnaie or le porte-monnaie.

💡 * J'ai besoin de monnaie pour le parcmètre, peux-tu me passer mon porte-monnaie ?

• Il a acheté un joli porte-monnaie en cuir au marché.
• Mon porte-monnaie est plein de pièces de un et deux centimes.
• Oups, j'ai oublié mon porte-monnaie à la maison.

The 'card holder' – un porte-cartes

Let's look at a very useful compound noun you'll encounter for everyday items: un porte-cartes, which translates to 'a card holder'.

This term is a great example of a common French construction. It's formed by combining the verb porter (to carry/hold) and the noun cartes (cards). Literally, it's a 'carry-cards' object, which perfectly describes its function.

The noun porte-cartes is always masculine, so you'll always say un porte-cartes. A key grammatical point is that because the word already ends with an '-s', its spelling does not change in the plural form: un porte-cartes (one card holder) becomes des porte-cartes (some/many card holders).

A porte-cartes is specifically a slim wallet or case for credit cards, ID cards, or business cards. It is distinct from un portefeuille (a wallet), which is typically larger and designed to hold banknotes (billets) in addition to cards.

💡 * J'ai acheté un nouveau porte-cartes en cuir. (I bought a new leather card holder.)

• As-tu vu mon porte-cartes ? Je crois que je l'ai oublié au restaurant. (Have you seen my card holder? I think I forgot it at the restaurant.)
• Ce porte-cartes est très pratique, il rentre dans ma poche. (This card holder is very practical, it fits in my pocket.)
• Pour son anniversaire, je lui ai offert un porte-cartes personnalisé. (For his birthday, I gave him a personalized card holder.)

The 'billfold' – un porte-billets

The ‘billfold’ – un porte-billets

The French term for a billfold, un porte-billets, is a compound noun. It literally translates to a 'bill-carrier,' combining the verb porter (to carry) with billets (banknotes).

This term specifically describes a slim wallet designed primarily for paper money, often without a coin compartment. It is more specific than the general term for a wallet, un portefeuille, which can hold coins, cards, and bills.

Un porte-billets is a masculine noun. Its plural form is the same as its singular form: you would say un porte-billets (one billfold) and des porte-billets (some billfolds).

💡 * J'ai besoin d'un nouveau porte-billets pour ranger mon argent. (I need a new billfold to store my money.)

• Il a sorti un billet de 20 euros de son porte-billets. (He took a 20-euro bill out of his billfold.)
• Ce porte-billets en cuir est un cadeau parfait pour la fête des pères. (This leather billfold is a perfect Father's Day gift.)
• Mon porte-billets ne contient que des cartes et des billets, pas de pièces. (My billfold only holds cards and bills, no coins.)

The large 'all-in-one wallet' – un compagnon

In the world of French fashion and accessories, a specific type of large wallet is known as un compagnon.

While compagnon literally translates to "companion" or "partner," in the context of maroquinerie (leather goods), it refers to a large, all-in-one wallet. It's designed to hold everything you need: cards, cash, coins, a checkbook, and often even your phone.

This accessory is particularly popular with women and acts as a highly organized wallet that can be carried inside a larger handbag. Because of its size and functionality, it can sometimes double as a small clutch for an evening out.

It's important to note that the word un compagnon is a masculine noun, as indicated by the article un. This is true even though the item itself is predominantly used by women.

So, if you're shopping in France and see a sign for a compagnon, don't be confused! You're looking at a practical, oversized wallet, not a search for a partner. The name perfectly captures its role as an essential daily "companion."

💡 * J'ai besoin d'un nouveau compagnon pour ranger toutes mes cartes de fidélité. (I need a new all-in-one wallet to organize all my loyalty cards.)

• Elle a sorti son téléphone de son compagnon. (She took her phone out of her large wallet.)
• Pour son anniversaire, il lui a offert un compagnon en cuir rouge. (For her birthday, he gave her a red leather all-in-one wallet.)
• Ce compagnon est très pratique, il y a même un emplacement pour mon chéquier. (This wallet is very practical, there's even a spot for my checkbook.)

The 'pouch' or 'small bag' – une pochette

When you need a term for a small bag, pouch, or even a folder in French, the versatile word you're looking for is une pochette.

In its most common context, une pochette refers to a small, elegant handbag without a strap, often carried to formal events. It is the direct equivalent of an English clutch or wristlet. This is the primary meaning you'll encounter in fashion and shopping.

Beyond fashion, the meaning of pochette extends to any small, flat container. It can refer to a sleeve for a CD or record, a folder for documents (une pochette cartonnée), or even a pocket square for a suit jacket (une pochette de costume). The key idea is a small, pouch-like container.

It's important not to confuse pochette with un sac (a bag), which is a general term for any bag, usually larger. It also differs from une trousse, which typically refers to a case for a specific set of items, like a pencil case (trousse d'écolier) or a makeup kit (trousse de maquillage). A pochette is generally flatter and more multi-purpose.

💡 * Elle a acheté une jolie pochette en cuir pour aller avec sa robe de soirée.

• Peux-tu me passer la pochette avec les factures s'il te plaît ?
• Il a ajouté une pochette en soie à son costume pour une touche d'élégance.
• Je garde mes écouteurs dans une petite pochette pour ne pas les perdre dans mon sac.

1. The classic 'purse' or 'money pouch' – une bourse

The French word une bourse most classically refers to a small bag for carrying money, like a 'coin purse' or 'money pouch'. It's a more traditional term than the modern sac à main (handbag).

Be careful with context, as la bourse has other common meanings. It can mean a scholarship (une bourse d'études) or the stock exchange (La Bourse). The surrounding words will usually clarify which meaning is intended.

The word bourse is a feminine noun. Therefore, you always use feminine articles like une or la with it, for example, J'ai perdu ma bourse (I lost my purse).

💡 * Elle a sorti quelques pièces de sa bourse pour payer le pain. (She took a few coins out of her purse to pay for the bread.)

• Mon grand-père gardait toujours sa monnaie dans une vieille bourse en cuir. (My grandfather always kept his change in an old leather money pouch.)
• Attention, tu as fait tomber ta bourse ! (Be careful, you dropped your purse!)

The informal slang 'wallet' – un carton

The informal slang 'wallet' – un carton

In informal French slang, un carton can refer to a wallet. This is a synonym for the standard word, un portefeuille. While it might be considered a bit old-fashioned by some younger speakers, it's a colorful piece of argot (slang) that you might still hear.

Why carton? The word literally means 'cardboard.' The connection likely comes from the material or the stiff, rectangular shape of a simple, old-fashioned wallet, similar to a piece of cardboard.

Remember, this is argot. You would use it in very casual, relaxed situations with friends, but never in a formal setting like a bank or a professional meeting. Stick to portefeuille in formal contexts.

💡 * J'ai perdu mon carton avec toutes mes cartes dedans. (I lost my wallet with all my cards in it.)

• Il a sorti un vieux carton en cuir de sa poche. (He pulled an old leather wallet from his pocket.)
• Fais gaffe, ne laisse pas traîner ton carton sur la table. (Be careful, don't leave your wallet lying around on the table.)

1. The Old-Fashioned 'Money Pocket': Un Gousset

The French noun un gousset (pronounced 'goo-say') refers to a small pocket, pouch, or gusset. Historically, its most common meaning was the small pocket in a man's waistcoat or trousers designed specifically to hold a pocket watch. This is why a pocket watch in French is called une montre à gousset.

Before the era of wristwatches and modern wallets, le gousset was a secure place to keep not only a watch but also coins or other small valuables. This function is why it can be thought of as an old-fashioned 'money pocket'. Its placement within a larger garment made it discreet and less accessible to pickpockets.

While the term is somewhat dated, it is still used today, most notably to describe the small fifth pocket on a pair of jeans, which is a direct descendant of the original watch pocket. In sewing and architecture, un gousset also refers to a 'gusset'—a piece of material used to strengthen an angle.

💡 * Mon grand-père gardait toujours sa montre à gousset dans la poche de son gilet.

• Autrefois, on mettait quelques pièces dans le gousset de son pantalon.
• La petite poche de ton jean est techniquement un gousset.
• Le couturier a ajouté un gousset sous le bras de la chemise pour plus de confort.

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

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

Our guide features the most common and essential terms for “wallet” in French, from the standard portefeuille to the classic porte-monnaie. However, French is a rich language full of regionalisms, slang, and even older terms you might encounter in books or films.

You can expand your vocabulary by searching online for phrases like “comment dire portefeuille au Québec” or “argot pour portefeuille” to find slang terms used by younger generations.

When you find a new word, pay attention to its context. Is it used for a man's billfold or a woman's coin purse? Is it formal or highly informal? Checking examples will help you use the word correctly and avoid any awkward mix-ups.

The best way to pick up new vocabulary is to listen to native speakers. As you watch French movies, listen to podcasts, or travel, you’ll start to hear these different words for “wallet” used naturally in everyday conversations.

If you want to explore more words related to money and personal items, online dictionaries like WordReference and Larousse are fantastic resources. Their entries for portefeuille often include synonyms, expressions, and user-submitted examples.

I hope this article helps you feel more confident when talking about your belongings in French. To close, here is a famous French proverb that reminds us of the true value of things: L'argent ne fait pas le bonheur. (Money can't buy happiness.)