English: Bag. Suitcase. Baggage. Backpack. Purse.
French: Sac. Valise. Bagage. Sac à dos. Sac à main.
As a flight attendant, you’ll inevitably become familiar with the names of all these different kinds of bags. For the sake of simplicity, you can use the generic word “sac” when speaking to passengers, regardless what kind of bag you’re referring to. (Be it a backpack, a purse, a plastic bag, a suitcase, etc.)
However, it’s important you recognize the French words for these other kinds of bags when passengers use these words with you.
Valise (f)=Suitcase
Bagage (m)=Baggage
Sac (m)=Bag
À=To
Dos (m)=Back (the body part)
Sac à dos=Backpack, knapsack
Main (f)=Hand
Sac à main=Purse, handbag
The formal word for “purse” is “sac à main” and you would say this to passengers if need be. However, most other French courses and even airlines themselves will not tell you that Canadian francophone passengers will often use “sacoche” (f) for “purse” in colloquial situations. It’s important you’re able to recognize these kinds of words when passengers say them to you.
Want to learn to speak the French you need to work as a flight attendant? Learn even more with Canadian French for Flight Attendants.
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