かばん

• Reading: かばん
• Romaji: kaban
• Kanji breakdown: 鞄 (kaban) — bag (kanji rarely used; 革 radical indicates leather)
• Pronunciation: /ka.ba.ɴ/

Meaning

Bag; satchel; briefcase. A general term for any type of bag carried by hand or on the shoulder.

While the kanji 鞄 exists, this word is almost always written in hiragana in modern Japanese. It covers a wide range of bags including handbags, school bags, suitcases, and briefcases. Context usually clarifies the specific type.

Examples

1. かばんの中に本があります。 There is a book in the bag.
2. 新しいかばんが欲しいです。 I want a new bag.
3. かばんを忘れてしまいました。 I forgot my bag.

Usage Guide

Context: daily life, school, travel

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Believed to derive from a Dutch or Portuguese loanword adapted into Japanese during the Edo period. The kanji 鞄 is an ateji (phonetic kanji assignment) using the 革 (leather) radical.

Cultural Context

Era: Edo period

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal