ブラジャー
burajā[bɯ̟ɾa̠ʑa̠ː]
The Japanese word for "bra" is ブラジャー (burajā). Wiktionary also lists ブラ (bura) and 乳押さえ (chichiosae).
Meaning: brassiere (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| ブラジャー | burajā | [bɯ̟ɾa̠ʑa̠ː] (narrow) | |
| ブラ | bura | [bɯ̟ɾa̠] (narrow) | |
| 乳押さえ | chichiosae | [t͡ɕi̥t͡ɕio̞sa̠e̞] (narrow) | obsolete |
The term refers to a brassiere. In casual contexts, the shortened form ブラ is frequently used and the loanword ノーブラ is used to describe the state of not wearing a bra.
Which one should you use?
While ブラジャー is the full term, the shortened version ブラ is more common in casual conversation.
How do you pronounce it?
burajā
Did you know?
- The term 乳押さえ (chichi-osae) is a highly descriptive, literal way to say 'breast-holder' or 'breast-suppressor', using the verb 'to hold back'.
- The term ノーブラ is a 'wasei-eigo' word, meaning it is English-like Japanese created in Japan and is not used by native English speakers to describe the act of going braless.
- Japanese brands often market 'night bras' using the term ナイトブラ, a specific category of garment designed for sleep that is more common in Japan than in the West.
Examples in context
- ねえ、ケイト、知ってた？メアリーって普段からノーブラなんだって。Hey Kate, do you already know that Mary usually goes around wearing no bra?This sentence uses ブラ to describe someone not wearing a bra.Tatoeba #2739844 by bunbuku, translation #10072068 by tsp_2
- 優美子には谷間を強調するブラジャーがある。Yumiko has a push-up bra.This sentence uses ブラジャー to describe a specific type of bra.Tatoeba #75683 by mookeee, translation #328035 by buster_blu
- あのブラ可愛いよね！That bra is cute, right?
- 新しいブラジャーを試着しました。Atarashii burajā o shichaku shimashita.I tried on a new bra.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Yui and Ren are shopping for clothes together.
- 結衣 Yuiこのブラジャー、デザインが可愛いね。Kono burajā, dezain ga kawaii ne.This bra has a cute design, doesn't it?
- 蓮 Renうん、結衣には似合いそうだよ。Un, Yui ni wa niaisō da yo.Yeah, it looks like it would suit you, Yui.
- 結衣 Yui本当に？じゃあ、買ってみようかな。Hontō ni? Jā, katte miyō kana.Really? Then, maybe I'll try buying it.
- 蓮 Renサイズは大丈夫？Saizu wa daijōbu?Is the size okay?
Sources
- Wiktionary, “bra” translations and entries ブラジャー, ブラ, 乳押さえ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
