20 Must-Know Chinese Clothing Items for Women | Learn Mandarin

Feb 28, 2023

20 Must-Know Chinese Clothing Items for Women

20 Must-Know Women’s Clothing Items in Chinese for Fashion Lovers

In our previous post, we’ve looked at men’s clothing items in Chinese. Now, it’s time to focus on women’s fashion! In this article, we’ll cover 20 must-know Chinese words for women’s clothing, shoes, Chinese dresses, Chinese fashion trends, traditional Chinese clothing, modern Chinese outfits, stylish Chinese fashion, and popular women’s attire to help you master the language of fashion in Mandarin.

Women’s Clothes in Chinese

Let’s begin by looking at women’s clothing in Chinese. The word to refer to ladies and the female gender in Chinese is: 女 (nǚ).

女 Female | That's Mandarin Blog

When you search for items online, you can simply add the word “女” to filter out what you’re looking for, such as Chinese clothing for women or women’s fashion.

You will often notice the character 装 (zhuāng), which means “clothing” or “costume,” added to 女 (nǚ) to refer to “women’s clothing” in Chinese. For example, 女装 (nǚzhuāng) refers to women’s clothes or attire.

This vocabulary is essential when exploring Chinese clothing vocabulary, Mandarin fashion terms, or searching for items in your Chinese closet. Mastering these terms will help you navigate Chinese fashion trends and understand different types of clothes in Chinese.

女装 Women's Clothing | That's Mandarin Blog
女装
nǚzhuāng
women’s clothes

The Chinese term for women’s clothing is 女装 (nǚzhuāng).

女装 (nǚzhuāng) is the general term for the fashion of women when it comes to clothing design. Whether you’re looking at Chinese women’s fashion or exploring different kinds of clothes, this term is essential.

01. The Springtime Look

For a Spring Look, think about describing spring women’s clothes with phrases like 春季女装 (chūn jì nǚ zhuāng). When searching for current and seasonal styles in Mandarin fashion, this can be useful.

1. Coat

外套 Coat | That's Mandarin Blog

外套
wàitào
coat

In Chinese, 外套 (wàitào) refers to any kind of clothing or jacket that is fit for wearing outdoors.

This is one of the essential Chinese clothing words to know when discussing clothing in Mandarin.

2. Sweater

毛衣 Scarf | That's Mandarin Blog
毛衣
máoyī
sweater

The word 毛衣 (máoyī) is a self-explanatory term for sweater in Chinese: 毛 (máo) means “fur” or “wool,” and 衣 (yī) means “clothes.” This is an essential term in Chinese clothing vocabulary for describing knitwear or sweaters.


jiàn
m.w. for clothes

The measure word for all the words mentioned above is 件 (jiàn). For example:

毛衣
jiàn máoyī
a sweater

3. Jacket

The Chinese word for jacket is 夹克 (jiākè). This term is used to refer to various types of jackets, including light jackets or casual wear. It’s an essential term in Chinese clothing vocabulary and Mandarin fashion terms.
夹克 Jacket | That's Mandarin Blog
夹克
jiākè
jacket

4. Jeans

The Chinese jeans is 牛仔裤 (niúzǎikù). This expression is frequently used to describe denim pants, also known as jeans, which are a necessary item in Mandarin fashion terminologies and Chinese clothing language.
牛仔裤 Jeans | That's Mandarin Blog
牛仔裤
niúzǎikù
jeans

tiáo
m.w. for pants and trousers

条 (tiáo) is the measure word of skirts, dresses, pants, and trousers. For example:
一条牛仔裤 (yī tiáo niúzǎikù) – A pair of jeans.

5. Hat

The Chinese word for hat is 帽子 (màozi). It’s a term used for all types of hats. Understanding this word in Chinese clothing vocabulary and Mandarin fashion terms.
帽子 Hat | That's Mandarin Blog
帽子
màozi
hat

6. Scarf

When it comes to the Chinese term is 围巾 (wéijīn). It’s used to refer to any type of shawl Chinese fashion.
围巾 Scarf | That's Mandarin Blog
围巾
wéijīn
scarf

7. Bag

For bag in Chinese, the word is 包 (bāo). This can refer to any type of bag, including purses, backpacks, or handbags. It’s another must-know in Chinese clothing words and Mandarin fashion.
包 Bag | That's Mandarin Blog

bāo
bag

02. SPORTS LOOK

8. Hoodie

The term 卫衣 (wèiyī) is used in to Chinese. This comfortable, casual wear is an part of the sports look in Mandarin fashion terms.
卫衣 Hoodie | That's Mandarin Blog
卫衣
wèiyī
hoodie

9. Sweatpants

For sweatpants & tracksuit pants, the Chinese term is 运动裤 (yùndòng kù). These are key in the sports look, another piece of Chinese clothing vocabulary.
运动裤 Sweatpants | That's Mandarin Blog
运动裤
yùndòng kù
tracksuit pants / sweatpants

10. Sneakers

The Chinese word for sneakers is 运动鞋 (yùndòngxié), which also refers to sports shoes. This term in Chinese clothing and Mandarin.
运动鞋 Sneakers | That's Mandarin Blog
运动鞋
yùndòngxíe
sneakers; sports shoes

shuāng
pair; m.w. a pair for shoes

The measure word for shoes, including sneakers, is 双 (shuāng), which refers to a pair. For example:

运动鞋
liang shuāng yùndòngxié
two pairs of sneakers

11. Cap

The Chinese term for a baseball cap is 运动帽 (yùndòngmào), a key piece of wear. It’s an important term in Chinese fashion and Mandarin clothing.
运动帽 Baseball cap | That's Mandarin Blog
棒球帽
bàngqiúmào
baseball cap

03. SUMMER LOOK

12. T-shirt

The term for T-shirt in Chinese is T恤 (T xù). T-shirts are a casual Chinese clothing for women and Mandarin fashion terms.
T恤 T-shirt | That's Mandarin Blog
T恤
T xù
T-shirt

13. Skirt

The word for skirt in Chinese is 裙子 (qúnzi). This is a basic term in Chinese clothing for describing skirts, an epart of a woman’s wardrobe.
裙子 Skirt | That's Mandarin Blog
裙子
qúnzi
skirt

14. Tank Top

For tank top in Chinese, use 背心 (bèixīn). It’s a must-know term in Chinese fashion for summer.
背心 Tank top | That's Mandarin Blog
背心
bèixīn
tank top

15. Flats

The term for flats in Chinese is 平底鞋 (píngdǐxié), when talking about footwear in Mandarin fashion.
平底鞋 Flats | That's Mandarin Blog
平底鞋
píngdǐxié
flats

16. Flip-flops

The Chinese term for flip-flops is 拖鞋 (tuōxié). These are common footwear during warmer weather, a key part of Chinese clothing words for beachwear.
拖鞋 Flip-flops | That's Mandarin Blog
拖鞋
tuōxié
flip-flops

17. Sunglasses

太阳镜 (tàiyángjìng) refers to sunglasses in Chinese. It’s a common accessory mentioned in Mandarin fashion .
太阳镜 Sunglasses | That's Mandarin Blog
太阳镜
tàiyángjìng
sunglasses

04. NIGHT OUT

18. Dress

For a dress, the Chinese word is 连衣裙 (liányīqún). This is an important term in Chinese clothing vocabulary for women’s formal or casual dresses.
连衣裙 Dress | That's Mandarin Blog
连衣裙
liányīqún
dress

19. High Heels

高跟鞋 (gāogēnxié) refers to high heels in Chinese, a key term when discussing fashionable footwear in Mandarin fashion vocabulary.
高跟鞋 High heels | That's Mandarin Blog
高跟鞋
gāogēnxié
high heels

20. Make-up

The word for make-up in Chinese is 化妆 (huàzhuāng). This term is essential when discussing beauty and Chinese fashion trends.
化妆 Makeup | That's Mandarin Blog
化妆
huàzhuāng
make-up
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