Tシャツ
tī-shatsu[tʲiːɕa̠t͡sɨ]
The Japanese word for "t-shirt" is Tシャツ (tī-shatsu).
Tシャツ is used to refer to a t-shirt.
Meaning: type of shirt (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is a loanword from English, written using Katakana, the script used for foreign-derived words.
How do you pronounce it?
tī-shatsu
Did you know?
- The term Tシャツ is written in Katakana, but when used in artistic or 'street' contexts, it is sometimes written in Hiragana to look 'cute' or 'soft'.
- The term Tシャツ was first cited in Japanese usage in 1959, shortly after the garment became popular in American military culture.
- In Japanese fashion terminology, a 't-shirt' is often considered an item of 'casual wear', whereas the word 'shirt' alone might imply something more formal like a button-down.
Examples in context
- 白いTシャツを着ています。Shiroi t-shatsu o kite imasu.I am wearing a white t-shirt.
- 新しいTシャツを買いました。Atarashii t-shatsu o kaimashita.I bought a new t-shirt.
- このTシャツはとても柔らかいです。Kono t-shatsu wa totemo yawarakai desu.This t-shirt is very soft.
Example conversation
Youta and Himari are talking about what to wear for a trip.
- 陽太 Yota明日は何を着ていく？Ashita wa nani o kite iku?What are you wearing tomorrow?
- 陽葵 Himari私はTシャツとジーンズにするよ。Watashi wa T-shatsu to jiinzu ni suru yo.I'll go with a t-shirt and jeans.
- 陽太 Yotaいい考えだね。僕もそうするよ。Ii kangae da ne. Boku mo sou suru yo.That's a good idea. I'll do the same.
- 陽葵 Himari陽太は青いTシャツが似合うね。Youta wa aoi T-shatsu ga niau ne.Youta, blue t-shirts look good on you.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “t-shirt” translations and entries Tシャツ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Tシャツ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
