Translation guide
In Japanese, 'long underpants' refers to thermal underwear or long johns worn for warmth. The most common term is ババシャツ for women and ステテコ for men, though these can carry specific nuances. More neutral terms like 保温下着 or 長袖下着 are also used.
In winter, wearing thermal underwear keeps you warm.
Literally 'long-sleeved underwear', often used for long underpants or long-sleeved undershirts. A straightforward descriptive term.
I'm going to buy long underwear.
Traditional Japanese long underpants, often associated with older styles or workwear. Can sound old-fashioned.
My grandfather wears long underpants in winter.
To refer specifically to long underpants for women, often called 'baba shirts' in Japanese, though the term can be derogatory.
Commonly used for women's thermal undershirts or long underpants, but can be seen as unflattering or old-lady-ish. Use with caution.
Can sound derogatory; avoid in formal or polite contexts.
I wore a thermal undershirt because it's cold.
A more polite and neutral way to say women's thermal underwear.
Where is the women's thermal underwear section?
To refer to men's long underpants, often loose-fitting and worn as loungewear or under trousers.
Refers to men's loose-fitting long underpants, often made of lightweight fabric. Commonly worn at home or as an inner layer.
My dad wears long underpants at home.
A neutral term for men's thermal underwear, including long underpants.
I'm looking for men's thermal underwear.
The direct translation '長い下着' (nagai shitagi) is not commonly used and may sound unnatural. Use the specific terms above instead.
ババシャツ is for women and can be derogatory; ステテコ is for men and casual. For neutral terms, use 保温下着 or 長袖下着.