calzón chino
/kalθon t͡ʃino/from spelling rulesmasculine
In Spanish, a wedgie is called calzón chino.
The term refers to the prank where a person's underpants are pulled up sharply. To express the action of performing the prank, you can use the phrase dar un calzón chino.
Meaning: prank in which a person's underpants are pulled up sharply (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of calzón, meaning underwear or panties and chino, meaning Chinese, translating literally to 'Chinese underwear'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Calzón chino is the specific term used in Mexico for this prank.
How does it change in a sentence?
The default form is the masculine singular calzón chino. To refer to multiple wedgies, use the plural form calzones chinos, where both the noun and the adjective are pluralized.
How do you pronounce it?
/kalθon tʃino/
Did you know?
- The word calzón shares a common ancestor with the English word 'calcified', as both trace back to the Latin word for 'shoe' or 'footwear'.
- Because calzón chino is a highly specific Mexicanism, using it in Spain or Argentina might result in confusion or a lack of recognition.
- The suffix '-ón' in calzón is often used in Spanish to create a larger version of a noun, which emphasizes the size or prominence of the garment.
Examples in context
- Le hicieron un calzón chino en el recreo.They gave him a wedgie during recess.
- Ese calzón chino fue muy gracioso.That wedgie was very funny.
- No me gusta que me hagan un calzón chino.I don't like it when people give me a wedgie.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about a prank at school.
- Alejandro¿Viste lo que le hicieron a Luis?Did you see what they did to Luis?
- ElenaSí, le hicieron un calzón chino de la nada.Yes, they gave him a wedgie out of nowhere.
- AlejandroFue muy pesado de su parte.That was very mean of them.
- ElenaToda la clase se estaba riendo.The whole class was laughing.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “wedgie” translations, 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 calzón, chino, CC BY-SA 4.0.
