钱包

• Pinyin: qián bāo
• Hanzi breakdown: 钱 = 钅(metal) + 戋 (phonetic); 包 = 勹 (wrapping) + 巳 (contents), meaning to wrap or a bag

Meaning

Wallet; purse. A small bag or case for carrying money and cards.

Refers to any small personal item used to hold cash, cards, and identification. In modern Chinese, also used metaphorically in phrases like 电子钱包 (electronic wallet/e-wallet) for digital payment accounts.

Examples

1. 我的钱包在书包里。 My wallet is in my backpack.
2. 他买了一个新钱包。 He bought a new wallet.
3. 你的钱包掉了。 Your wallet dropped.

Usage Guide

Context: shopping, everyday

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 我的钱包丢了。(I lost my wallet.)
• 钱包里有多少钱？(How much money is in the wallet?)

Don't Say

• 一个钱的包。(Don't break the compound apart — 钱包 is a single word for wallet)

Origin & History

A compound of 钱 (money) and 包 (bag/wrap), literally a 'money bag.'

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal