財布

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 財布 is read as さいふ and is a noun for a wallet used to carry notes, coins, cards, and similar personal items.
• Basic usage: Use 財布を忘れる when the wallet is the object forgotten and 財布に硬貨を入れる when it is the container receiving coins.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Object and container
  • The wallet takes を as the forgotten object but に as the destination into which coins are placed.
• Contrast with 小銭入れ
  • 財布 is the general wallet, while 小銭入れ specifically names a small coin purse.