handbag
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handbag
A small to medium-sized bag, usually carried by women in the hand or over the shoulder, for carrying personal items such as a wallet, keys, or cosmetics.
Sie hat ihr Portemonnaie in ihrer Handtasche gesucht.
She looked for her wallet in her handbag.
The word is a clear compound of 'Hand' (hand) and 'Tasche' (bag). So it literally describes a bag that you can carry in your hand.
Sie kaufte sich eine neue Handtasche aus Leder.
She bought herself a new leather handbag.
Pay attention to the preposition 'in' with the correct case. When you put something into the bag, you use the accusative. When something is already inside it, you use the dative.
Ich lege mein Handy in die Handtasche.
I put my phone into the handbag.
Common verbs used with 'Handtasche' (handbag) are 'eine Handtasche tragen' (to carry a handbag), 'etwas in der Handtasche suchen' (to look for something in the handbag), or 'in der Handtasche wühlen' (to rummage in the handbag) when you cannot find something right away.
Sie wühlte hektisch in ihrer Handtasche nach dem Ticket.
She rummaged frantically in her handbag for the ticket.
bag
Both words can refer to a fashionable bag carried by someone. „Handtasche“ precisely and neutrally names this type of bag, while „Bag“ is a broader fashion-related loanword and can also refer to a shoulder bag. „Handtasche“ is usually more suitable in a precise description.
Sie legte ihre Schlüssel und ihr Portemonnaie in die neue Handtasche.
She put her keys and wallet in her new handbag.
Zu ihrem neuen Mantel trug sie einen großen Bag aus schwarzem Leder.
She carried a large black leather bag with her new coat.
