also: ぶるまー · ぶるーまー · ぶるーまーず · ぶるまーず
bloomers
Refers to the original loose-fitting undergarment or exercise wear from the 19th–early 20th century. In modern Japanese, this sense is mostly historical or used in reference to vintage clothing.
Women in the 19th century wore bloomers for exercise.
girls' gym shorts; bloomers
In modern Japanese, ブルマ almost always refers to the tight, dark-blue shorts worn by schoolgirls during physical education class. This usage is distinct from the historical bloomers.
I wear gym shorts in PE class.
小学生のとき、ブルマで運動会に出た。
When I was in elementary school, I participated in the sports day in gym shorts.
In the past, girls used to wear bloomers during P.E. classes.
Wearing bloomers was mandatory as part of the gym uniform back then.
Used because bloomers (ブルマ) are counted as flat garments, like underwear or clothing, with 枚.
Most common modern spelling for girls' gym shorts.
Alternate spelling closer to the original English 'bloomers'.
Rare spelling; may be encountered in older texts.
Rare plural-like spelling; not common in modern usage.
Rare plural-like spelling; not common in modern usage.
From English 'bloomers', named after Amelia Bloomer, a 19th-century women's rights advocate. The Japanese term shifted to refer specifically to school gym shorts.