also: かい
noun
Refers to underwear or undergarments; reading is typically したごろも. Cross-referenced with 下着.
See also: 下着
旅館で浴衣の下に下衣を着る。
At the inn, I wear an undergarment under the yukata.
noun
lower garment; trousers; pants
Refers to lower-body clothing such as trousers; reading is typically かい. Less common than 下着 for underwear.
古い文献では、下衣は袴のようなものを指すことがある。
In old texts, 下衣 (かい) can refer to something like hakama.
下着 is the common modern word for underwear; 下衣 is rarer and can also mean lower garment.
Compound of 下 (under, lower) and 衣 (garment). The reading したごろも is a native Japanese reading, while かい is the on'yomi reading. The exact historical usage is uncertain.