Nowadays, modern shopping malls can be seen in every Chinese city. Young people in China pay great attention to their appearance, and many of them go 买衣服 (mǎi yīfu) on a monthly or even a weekly basis. Well, if you would also like to buy clothes in Chinese, here is your chance to learn how to refer to different types of men’s clothing in Chinese — a guide to Chinese fashion vocabulary.
1. Shirt
衬衫 (chènshān) – Shirt in Chinese
A basic term for a shirt, commonly used in both casual and formal settings.
2. T-shirt
T恤 (T xù) – T-shirt in Chinese
T恤 (T xù) is a loan word borrowed from the English term “t-shirt.”
3. Sweater
毛衣 (máoyī) – Sweater in Chinese
This is a self-explanatory word: 毛 (máo) means “fur” or “wool,” and 衣 (yī) means “clothes.”
4. Overcoat
外套 (wàitào) – Coat in Chinese
Any type of coat or jacket worn outside is referred to as 外套 (wàitào) in Chinese.
大衣 (dàyī) – Overcoat in Chinese
For warmer fall or winter coats, 大衣 (dàyī) is used. Since 大 (dà) means “big,” the meaning behind this term refers to the larger size of an overcoat compared to other clothing types.
件 (jiàn) – Measure word for clothes
The measure word for all clothing items like sweaters, jackets, and coats is 件 (jiàn). For example:
一件毛衣 (yī jiàn máoyī) – A sweater.
5. Suit
西装 (xīzhuāng) – Suit in Chinese
A Western-style suit, introduced to China from Western countries. The character 西 (xī) means “west,” reflecting the origin of the suit.
6. Jeans
牛仔裤 (niúzǎikù) – Jeans in Chinese
This term is associated with American Western movies where cowboys are often seen wearing them. 牛仔 (niúzǎi) means “cowboy,” making the literal translation “cowboy pants.”
7. Sports pants
运动裤 (yùndòng kù) – Sports pants in Chinese
This term is used for tracksuit pants or sweatpants. 运动 (yùndòng) means “sports,” so these are trousers typically worn during physical activities.
8. Shorts
短裤 (duǎnkù) – Shorts in Chinese
The word 短 (duǎn) means “short,” so 短裤 literally translates to “short pants.”
9. Western-style trousers
西裤 (xīkù) – Trousers in Chinese
These trousers are typically associated with suits. 西裤 can also refer to suit pants, reflecting Western fashion styles.
10. Shoes
鞋(子) (xié(zi)) – Shoes in Chinese
The general term for shoes in Chinese is 鞋(子) (xié(zi)).
皮鞋 (píxié) – Leather Shoes in Chinese
For leather shoes, 皮鞋 (píxié) is the term used. 皮 (pí) means “leather” and 鞋 (xié) means “shoes.”
双 (shuāng) – Measure Word for Shoes
The measure word for all kinds of shoes is 双 (shuāng), which means “pair.” For example:
三双皮鞋 (sān shuāng píxié) – Three pairs of leather shoes.
11. Sneakers
运动鞋 (yùndòngxié) – Sneakers in Chinese
运动鞋 (yùndòngxié) refers to sneakers or sports shoes. 运动 (yùndòng) means “sports,” making this term synonymous with sneakers or athletic footwear in Chinese.
12. Flip flops
拖鞋 (tuōxié) – Flip-flops in Chinese
拖鞋 (tuōxié) refers to slippers or flip-flops. The word 拖 (tuō) means “to drag,” reflecting the way people often drag their feet when wearing slippers or flip-flops.
