Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| gayumbos | /ɡaˈʝumbos/ | Spain, colloquial, masculine, plural |
| trusa | /ˈtɾusa/ | Mexico, feminine |
| calzoncillo | /kalθonˈθiʝo/ | masculine |
| chon | /ˈt͡ʃon/ | masculine |
| slip | /ˈslip/ /esˈlip/ |
masculine |
| gayumbo | /ɡaʝumbo/ (from spelling rules) | Spain, masculine |
The words in this list all refer to the garment worn under clothing. If you need a formal expression to describe underwear in general, you can use ropa interior. For a more informal term that applies to both men and women, you can use calzones.
Which one should you use?
While calzoncillo refers to the specific garment, it is most frequently used in the plural form calzoncillos when referring to a single pair of underpants. In contrast, trusa often refers specifically to a style of briefs.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Ropa interior is the formal way to say underwear. Calzones is an informal term for underpants. Gayumbos is a colloquial term used in Spain.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, trusa is a common way to refer to underpants, specifically briefs. In Spain, the colloquial term gayumbos is used. In much of Latin America, the informal term pantaletas is used specifically for women's underpants.
How do you pronounce it?
/ɡaˈʝumbos/
Did you know?
- While it sounds like a completely different word, the term trusa is actually a linguistic traveler that migrated from the English word 'trouser' into Spanish.
- If you want to sound like a child, you can use the word chon, which is a playful way of speaking where the first syllable of calzón is simply dropped.
- While ropa interior is the standard formal term, using it in a casual setting can sound strangely clinical or overly modest.
Examples in context
- Caminaría por el fuego con los calzoncillos empapados en gasolina por ella.I'd walk through fire with gasoline-soaked underpants for her.Tatoeba #2055589 by Shishir, translation #2040254 by halfb1t
- ¿Dónde dejé mis calzones? No los encuentro por ninguna parte.Where did I leave my underpants? I can't find them anywhere.
- Me encantan las pantaletas que compré, son muy cómodas.I love the underpants I bought, they are very comfortable.
- ¿Dónde puedo encontrar ropa interior de buena calidad?Where can I find good quality underwear?
Example conversation
Elena and Javier are folding laundry together.
- ElenaJavier, ¿dónde están tus gayumbos?Javier, where are your underpants?
- JavierEstán en el cesto de la ropa.They are in the laundry basket.
- ElenaCreo que olvidaste recoger estos gayumbos.I think you forgot to pick up these underpants.
- JavierTienes razón, gracias por avisarme.You are right, thanks for letting me know.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “underpants” translations and entries gayumbos, trusa, calzoncillo, chon, slip, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries calzoncillo, chon, trusa, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
