Translation guide
The English word 'trunks' can refer to men's swimwear, athletic shorts, or the storage compartment of a car. This guide covers how to express each meaning naturally in Japanese.
To refer to men's swimming trunks or swim shorts.
General word for swimwear, used for both men and women. Context usually makes it clear you mean trunks.
To refer to loose-fitting shorts worn for sports or exercise.
Short for 短いパンツ, meaning short pants. Common casual term for athletic or casual shorts.
To refer to the storage compartment at the rear of a car.
The word トランクス almost always means men's boxer shorts in Japanese. Using it for swim trunks will likely cause confusion. Use 水着 or 海水パンツ instead.
Buy swim trunks.
I bought new swim trunks.
Specifically men's swim trunks. More casual and direct than 水着.
I forgot my swim trunks.
Loanword from English, but primarily used for men's underwear (boxer shorts), not swimwear. Can cause confusion.
Usually means boxer shorts, not swim trunks. Avoid for swimwear unless context is very clear.
I wear boxer shorts.
I go to the gym in trunks.
Half pants, referring to shorts that go to the knee. Often used for sports or casual wear.
I wear trunks for basketball practice.
Literally 'sports pants', a more descriptive term for athletic shorts.
I need athletic trunks.
Standard loanword for a car trunk. Widely understood.
I put luggage in the trunk.
Formal/technical term for cargo area, used in car specs or manuals.
This car's trunk is spacious.
Rear trunk, used to distinguish from a front trunk (frunk) in some vehicles.
Open the rear trunk.