Translation guide
Pigtails are a hairstyle where the hair is parted into two sections, each tied or braided on the sides of the head. In Japanese, the term depends on whether the hair is braided or just tied, and the style's height and shape.
The hair is divided into two sections and each is braided, hanging down on either side.
Literally 'three-strand braid'. This is the most common word for braided pigtails. It can refer to a single braid or multiple, but context usually makes it clear. For two braids, you can say 二つの三つ編み or just 三つ編み if the context is clear.
彼女はいつも三つ編みにしている。
She always wears her hair in braids.
二つの三つ編みがかわいい。
The two braids are cute.
Specifically refers to two braids hanging down, often associated with a classic schoolgirl look. It's a very common word for pigtails in the braided sense.
おさげの女の子が好きです。
I like girls with braided pigtails.
A loanword from English 'twin tail'. In Japanese, this usually refers to unbraided pigtails (two ponytails on the sides), but it can sometimes be used for braided pigtails in anime/manga contexts. Not the primary word for braids.
アニメのキャラクターはツインテールの三つ編みをしている。
The anime character has twin-tail braids.
The hair is divided into two sections and tied with bands, but not braided, usually on the sides or lower back of the head.
The standard term for unbraided pigtails, especially when tied at the sides or high on the head. Very common in fashion and anime contexts.
今日はツインテールにしようかな。
Maybe I'll wear my hair in pigtails today.
Literally 'two ties'. A more descriptive and slightly more casual/childish term for two ponytails. Often used for young children's hairstyles.
娘の髪を二つ結びにした。
I put my daughter's hair in two ponytails.
A less common term, sometimes used in hair styling to refer to pigtails tied at the sides. More technical.
ツーサイドアップのヘアアレンジを教えてください。
Please teach me a two-side-up hairstyle.
Referring to the hairstyle without specifying whether it's braided or just tied.
If you don't need to specify braided vs. unbraided, you can use a phrase like 二つに分けた髪型 (hairstyle with hair divided into two) or simply describe it. In many casual conversations, ツインテール is understood as the general pigtails look, but it leans toward unbraided.
彼女は髪を二つに分けて結んでいる。
She has her hair parted in two and tied.
おさげ specifically means two braids hanging down, often associated with a traditional schoolgirl image. 三つ編み is the general word for a three-strand braid, and can be used for one or more braids. ツインテール primarily means two unbraided ponytails, but in anime/game contexts it can sometimes include braids. For clarity, use 三つ編み for braids and ツインテール for unbraided pigtails.
おさげと三つ編みはどう違いますか？
What's the difference between osage and mitsuami?
ポニーテール (ponytail) refers to a single ponytail, usually at the back of the head. Using it for pigtails will cause confusion. Use ツインテール or 二つ結び instead.
ポニーテールは一つ結びです。
A ponytail is one tied bunch.