Translation guide
The English word 'bra' refers to a woman's undergarment for supporting the breasts. In Japanese, the most common and natural term is the loanword ブラ (bura), short for ブラジャー (burajā). There are also native Japanese terms, but they are less common in everyday speech.
Referring to a bra in everyday conversation, shopping, or general contexts.
The most common and natural word for 'bra' in Japanese. It is a shortening of ブラジャー and is used in casual and neutral contexts.
新しいブラを買った。
I bought a new bra.
This bra doesn't fit.
The full loanword for 'brassiere'. Slightly more formal or explicit than ブラ, but still common. Often used in product descriptions or when clarity is needed.
I had my bra size measured.
A very literal and old-fashioned native Japanese term meaning 'breast presser'. Rarely used today; may appear in historical contexts or as a euphemism.
In the old days, they used breast binders.
Specifically referring to a bra designed for sports or exercise.
The standard term for a sports bra. Combines the loanword スポーツ (sports) with ブラ.
I bought a sports bra for the gym.
Talking about the cup size of a bra.
The word for 'cup' in the context of bra sizes. Used with letters (A, B, C, etc.) to indicate size.
I'm a C cup.
This bra goes up to a D cup.
In everyday conversation, ブラ is perfectly natural and widely used. ブラジャー is slightly more formal and often appears in written contexts like product labels or advertisements. Both are understood, but ブラ is the default in speech.
I need to buy a new bra.
She forgot to wear a bra.