Translation guide
Clothing worn on the lower half of the body, such as pants, skirts, or traditional Japanese hakama. The most common general term is ズボン for pants/trousers, but the best choice depends on the specific type of garment and context.
General term for Western-style pants or trousers.
The most common and neutral word for pants/trousers in Japanese. Used for both men's and women's pants.
新しいズボンを買った。
I bought new pants.
そのズボン、よく似合ってるよ。
Those pants look great on you.
Can mean pants/trousers, but also commonly means underwear. Context usually clarifies, but ズボン is safer for pants to avoid ambiguity.
Can mean 'underwear' depending on context. Use ズボン for clarity when referring to trousers.
このパンツ、ちょっと長すぎる。
These pants are a bit too long.
Specifically refers to dress pants or slacks, often in a formal or business context.
面接にはスラックスを履いていきます。
I'll wear slacks to the interview.
A garment worn around the waist, typically by women.
The standard word for skirt.
彼女は赤いスカートをはいている。
She is wearing a red skirt.
A wide-legged pleated garment worn over kimono, often in formal or martial arts settings.
Traditional Japanese divided or undivided skirt-like trousers. Worn in martial arts like kendo, aikido, and for formal ceremonies.
卒業式では多くの女子学生が袴を着ます。
Many female students wear hakama at graduation ceremonies.
Short pants that end above the knee.
Literally 'half pants', the common word for shorts, especially for children or casual wear.
夏は半ズボンが涼しい。
Shorts are cool in summer.
Loanword for short pants, often used for fashion shorts.
Garments worn under clothes on the lower body.
General word for underwear, can refer to both upper and lower undergarments. For specifically lower underwear, see パンツ.
旅行には下着を多めに持っていく。
I take extra underwear when traveling.
Commonly means underpants/underwear. Context distinguishes from trousers.
The word パンツ can mean either 'pants/trousers' or 'underpants' depending on context. To avoid confusion, use ズボン for trousers and パンツ for underwear, or clarify with 下着 (したぎ) for underwear.
She is wearing denim shorts.
I forgot to buy new underwear.