Translation guide
A vest is a sleeveless garment worn on the upper body. In Japanese, the word depends on the type: a formal waistcoat, a casual sleeveless top, or an undershirt.
The sleeveless garment worn over a dress shirt and under a suit jacket, often with buttons and a V-neck.
The most common word for a formal vest or waistcoat. Borrowed from English.
A sleeveless garment worn as a light jacket or fashion item, often made of knit, fleece, or down.
Also used for casual vests, like fleece or puffer vests. Context distinguishes from formal.
A sleeveless undergarment worn next to the skin, often cotton, like an A-shirt or tank top.
A life vest (life jacket) is 救命胴衣 (きゅうめいどうい) or ライフジャケット, not ベスト. Using ベスト for a life vest will cause confusion.
ベスト is the safest modern word for most vests. チョッキ is old-fashioned but understood. ジレ is used in fashion for stylish sleeveless jackets, often women's wear.
スーツにベストを合わせると、よりフォーマルに見えます。
Adding a vest to a suit makes it look more formal.
An older word for vest/waistcoat, still understood but less common today. Can sound slightly dated.
祖父はいつもチョッキを着ていた。
My grandfather always wore a vest.
寒い日はダウンベストを着ると暖かい。
On cold days, wearing a down vest keeps you warm.
From French 'gilet', used in fashion contexts for a sleeveless jacket or vest, often more stylish or feminine.
彼女はレースのジレを羽織っていた。
She was wearing a lace vest.
Common word for a sleeveless undershirt or casual tank top. Not typically called 'vest' in Japanese.
夏はタンクトップ一枚で過ごす。
In summer, I just wear a tank top.
General word for underwear or undershirt. Can refer to any undergarment, including sleeveless types.
肌着を着替える。
Change your undershirt.
Specifically a sleeveless undershirt like a 'wife-beater' style. Often used by men.
父は夏中ランニングシャツを着ている。
My dad wears a sleeveless undershirt all summer.