bañador
/baɲaˈdoɾ/
The English word "trunks" (referring to swimwear) is translated into Spanish as bañador.
In the context of clothing, bañador refers to swimwear. It is important to note that if you are referring to large storage containers or chests rather than clothing, different terms like baúles or arcas would be used.
Meaning: swimwear (noun)
Which one should you use?
While bañador is used for swimwear, the terms baúles and arcas are used for different types of trunks: baúles refers to larger, more traditional storage trunks or chests and arcas refers to big, heavy trunks used for long-term storage.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, bañador is the standard term for swimwear. However, in many parts of Latin America, the phrase traje de baño is more commonly used.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word changes gender and number depending on what you are describing: use the masculine plural bañadores for swim trunks, and the feminine singular bañadora to refer to a one-piece swimsuit worn by women.
How do you pronounce it?
/baɲaˈdoɾ/
Did you know?
- The term bañador comes from the Latin balneātōrem, which originally referred to someone who attended to baths or a bath keeper.
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, it is considered a social faux pas to enter a hotel lobby or a restaurant wearing a bañador, regardless of how upscale the swimwear is.
- While bañador is the standard term in Spain, someone in Uruguay or Argentina is more likely to use the word malla, which literally means 'mesh'.
Examples in context
- Necesito encontrar un baúl antiguo para decorar mi hogarI need to find an old trunk to decorate my home
- dos maletastwo trunks
- maletas grandesbig trunks
- Compré un bañador nuevo para las vacaciones.I bought a new swimsuit for the holidays.
- ¿Dónde dejaste mi bañador azul?Where did you leave my blue swimsuit?
- Ese bañador es demasiado pequeño.That swimsuit is too small.
Example conversation
Elena and Javier are preparing for a trip to the beach.
- ElenaJavier, ¿tienes tu bañador listo?Javier, do you have your swimsuit ready?
- JavierSí, ya guardé mi bañador en la maleta.Yes, I already put my trunks in the suitcase.
- ElenaPerfecto, no olvides el protector solar.Perfect, don't forget the sunscreen.
- JavierNo te preocupes, lo tengo todo.Don't worry, I have everything.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry bañador, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bañador, CC BY-SA 4.0.
