下着
shitagi[ɕi̥ta̠ɡʲi]
The English word "underwear" is translated into Japanese as 下着 (shitagi). Wiktionary also lists 肌着 (hadagi).
Meaning: clothes worn next to the skin (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 下着 | shitagi | [ɕi̥ta̠ɡʲi] (narrow) |
| 肌着 | hadagi | [ha̠da̠ɡʲi] (narrow) |
The term refers to clothes worn next to the skin.
Which one should you use?
While 下着 is a general term for all underwear, 肌着 specifically refers to garments worn directly against the skin, often used to describe undershirts or base layers.
How do you pronounce it?
shitagi
Did you know?
- In many Japanese fashion contexts, the term パンツ (pantsu) refers specifically to underpants rather than trousers.
- The word 肌着 (hadagi) is often used to describe the white undershirts worn by businessmen under their dress shirts to prevent sweat from showing through, a strong social expectation in Japanese corporate culture.
- When discussing women's underwear, you may encounter the term ランジェリー (ranjeri), which is a loanword from the French 'lingerie'.
Examples in context
- トムは下着姿だった。Tom was in his underwear.This sentence is useful for describing someone's state of dress using 下着.Tatoeba #2129962 by bunbuku, translation #1867756 by CK
- この下着は、洗わないと。This underwear needs to be washed.This sentence is useful for expressing the need to wash 下着.Tatoeba #11645048 by small_snow, translation #2774066 by sharptoothed
- 下着を全然履いていません。I'm not wearing any underwear.This sentence is useful for stating that one is not wearing 下着.Tatoeba #4744187 by e4zh1nmcz, translation #1663013 by Spamster
- 田中さんはお店で新しい下着を買いました。Tanaka bought new underwear at the store.
- 田中さん、新しいパンツ買ったんだって。I heard Tanaka bought new underwear.
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Yui and Hiroto are preparing to pack for a trip.
- 結衣 Yui下着はもう準備した？Shitagi wa mou junbi shita?Did you already prepare your underwear?
- 大翔 Hirotoあ、忘れてた。今入れるよ。A, wasureteta. Ima ireru yo.Oh, I forgot. I'll put them in now.
- 結衣 Yui下着は多めに持っていったほうがいいよ。Shitagi wa oome ni motte itta hou ga ii yo.You should take extra underwear.
- 大翔 Hirotoそうだね。ありがとう、結衣。Sou da ne. Arigatou, Yui.You're right. Thanks, Yui.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “underwear” translations and entries 下着, 肌着, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
