Welcome to our comprehensive guide on how to say “pants” in Mandarin! Whether you are a beginner in Mandarin or have some experience with the language, our guide will equip you with the knowledge to express the word “pants” comfortably in both formal and informal situations. So, let’s dive right in!
Table of Contents
Formal Ways to Say “Pants” in Mandarin
In formal Mandarin, the word for “pants” is 裤子 (kùzi). This term is widely understood and used throughout Mandarin-speaking regions, such as Mainland China, Taiwan, and Singapore. It is a neutral and standard term suitable for most formal situations.
Examples:
- 我穿着一条黑色的裤子。 (Wǒ chuānzhe yī tiáo hēisè de kùzi.)
- I’m wearing a pair of black pants.
- 这条裤子的尺码适合我。 (Zhè tiáo kùzi de chǐmǎ shìhé wǒ.)
- This pair of pants fits me.
TIP: Remember to use the measure word “条 (tiáo)” when referring to a single pair or piece of clothing, like pants.
Informal Ways to Say “Pants” in Mandarin
Mandarin has various informal ways to refer to “pants,” depending on the region and context. These informal terms are commonly used in casual conversations among friends or in less formal situations.
1. 束脚裤 (shùjiǎo kù)-
The term 束脚裤 (shùjiǎo kù) is commonly used in the northern regions of Mainland China. It refers to “pants” with narrow openings at the ankle, often translated as “tapered pants” or “ankle pants” in English.
Examples:
- 我最喜欢穿束脚裤。 (Wǒ zuì xǐhuan chuān shùjiǎo kù.)
- I love wearing tapered pants.
- 今天天气很热，我穿着一条束脚裤。 (Jīntiān tiānqì hěn rè, wǒ chuānzhe yī tiáo shùjiǎo kù.)
- It’s hot today, so I’m wearing a pair of ankle pants.
2. 裤子 (kùr)-
In some southern regions, especially Taiwan, a shortened form of the word “pants” is used in informal contexts. It is pronounced as “kùr” and is derived from the original term 裤子 (kùzi).
Examples:
- 今天我买了一条新的裤子。 (Jīntiān wǒ mǎile yī tiáo xīn de kùr.)
- Today I bought a new pair of pants.
- 你觉得这条裤子怎么样？ (Nǐ juédé zhè tiáo kùr zěnmeyàng?)
- What do you think of these pants?
Regional Variations in Mandarin
In different Mandarin-speaking regions, especially in Mainland China, there exist some regional variations of words for “pants” that might be useful to know if you are traveling or interacting with locals. While these terms might be less commonly used in everyday speech, they can bring a touch of local flavor to your conversations.
1. 裤裤 (kùkù)-
In some areas of Shanghai and neighboring regions in Eastern China, people affectionately refer to “pants” as 裤裤 (kùkù). This variation adds a repeated character to the original term, giving it a more playful and endearing feel.
Examples:
- 我喜欢穿裤裤去郊游。 (Wǒ xǐhuan chuān kùkù qù jiāoyóu.)
- I like wearing pants when going for an outing.
- 这条裤裤很时尚。 (Zhè tiáo kùkù hěn shíshàng.)
- This pair of pants is very trendy.
2. 裤袜 (kùwà)-
In some areas of Southern China, particularly Guangdong province, the term 裤袜 (kùwà) is informally used to refer to “pants.” This term combines the characters for “pants” and “socks,” possibly referring to the close fit of the pants on the legs.
Examples:
- 我想买一条新的裤袜。 (Wǒ xiǎng mǎi yī tiáo xīn de kùwà.)
- I want to buy a new pair of pants.
- 这些裤袜款式很独特。 (Zhèxiē kùwà kuǎnshì hěn dútè.)
- These pants have unique styles.
Conclusion
Congratulations! You have now gained a comprehensive understanding of how to say “pants” in Mandarin. Whether you’re aiming for formal or informal conversations, you have learned the most common and regionally diverse terms used in Mandarin-speaking regions. Remember to practice these terms in different contexts to become more comfortable and fluent in your Mandarin communication.
