Clothes In Chinese: 50 Easy Words And Phrases For Beginners

Learn everyday clothing words in simplified Chinese: 衣服 yīfu, 服装 fúzhuāng, 穿 chuān, and a whole lot more you can actually use in shops, at home, and when your socks disappear into the laundry void.

If you want to talk about shirts, pants, shoes, coats, and accessories in Chinese, this is the useful starter pack. No fashion-magazine nonsense, just the words people really use.

Every item below gives you the simplified Chinese, pinyin with tone marks, the English meaning, and a real sentence. That way you do not just memorize a random word and then stare at it like it owes you rent.

Yak Tip

衣服 yīfu means “clothes” in general. 穿 chuān means “to wear.” Put those two into your brain first, because they do a lot of heavy lifting.

Quick Clothing Cards

衣服 yīfu

clothes

衬衫 chènshān

shirt

裤子 kùzi

pants

鞋 xié

shoes

外套 wàitào

coat; jacket

裙子 qúnzi

skirt; dress in some contexts

帽子 màozi

hat

袜子 wàzi

socks

Useful Phrases And Real-Life Sentences

我穿… wǒ chuān… — I am wearing…
我穿白衬衫。wǒ chuān bái chènshān. — I am wearing a white shirt.
你穿什么？nǐ chuān shénme? — What are you wearing?
你今天穿什么？nǐ jīntiān chuān shénme? — What are you wearing today?
我想买… wǒ xiǎng mǎi… — I want to buy…
我想买一件外套。wǒ xiǎng mǎi yí jiàn wàitào. — I want to buy a coat.
这件太大了。zhè jiàn tài dà le. — This one is too big.
这件衬衫太大了。zhè jiàn chènshān tài dà le. — This shirt is too big.
这件太小了。zhè jiàn tài xiǎo le. — This one is too small.
这条裤子太小了。zhè tiáo kùzi tài xiǎo le. — These pants are too small.
有别的颜色吗？yǒu bié de yánsè ma? — Do you have another color?
这件毛衣有别的颜色吗？zhè jiàn máoyī yǒu bié de yánsè ma? — Does this sweater come in another color?
可以试穿吗？kěyǐ shìchuān ma? — Can I try it on?
这双鞋可以试穿吗？zhè shuāng xié kěyǐ shìchuān ma? — Can I try on these shoes?
我喜欢宽松一点的。wǒ xǐhuan kuānsōng yìdiǎn de. — I like a looser fit.
我喜欢宽松一点的T恤。wǒ xǐhuan kuānsōng yìdiǎn de T-xù. — I like looser T-shirts.
这个很适合你。zhège hěn shìhé nǐ. — This suits you well.
这件夹克很适合你。zhè jiàn jiákè hěn shìhé nǐ. — This jacket suits you well.
今天很冷，多穿点。jīntiān hěn lěng, duō chuān diǎn. — It is cold today, wear more.
今天很冷，多穿点衣服。jīntiān hěn lěng, duō chuān diǎn yīfu. — It is cold today, wear more clothes.
我得换衣服。wǒ děi huàn yīfu. — I need to change clothes.
下班后我得换衣服。xiàbān hòu wǒ děi huàn yīfu. — I need to change clothes after work.
这是什么面料？zhè shì shénme miànliào? — What material is this?
这件衬衫是什么面料？zhè jiàn chènshān shì shénme miànliào? — What material is this shirt?

Core Clothing Words

These first ten are the foundation. Learn them, use them, and suddenly Chinese shopping trips become a lot less chaotic.

Hanzi	Pinyin	Meaning	Example (ZH)	Example (Pinyin)	Translation (EN)
衣服	yīfu	clothes	我的衣服很干净。	wǒ de yīfu hěn gānjìng.	My clothes are very clean.
服装	fúzhuāng	clothing; apparel	这家店卖运动服装。	zhè jiā diàn mài yùndòng fúzhuāng.	This shop sells sportswear.
穿	chuān	to wear	他今天穿得很正式。	tā jīntiān chuān de hěn zhèngshì.	He is dressed very formally today.
换	huàn	to change	回家以后我要换衣服。	huí jiā yǐhòu wǒ yào huàn yīfu.	I want to change clothes after I get home.
试穿	shìchuān	to try on clothes	我想先试穿这件外套。	wǒ xiǎng xiān shìchuān zhè jiàn wàitào.	I want to try on this coat first.
尺码	chǐmǎ	size	你的尺码是多少？	nǐ de chǐmǎ shì duōshao?	What is your size?
大	dà	big	这件衣服有点大。	zhè jiàn yīfu yǒudiǎn dà.	This piece of clothing is a bit big.
小	xiǎo	small	这双鞋太小了。	zhè shuāng xié tài xiǎo le.	These shoes are too small.
合身	héshēn	fit well	这件衬衫很合身。	zhè jiàn chènshān hěn héshēn.	This shirt fits well.
宽松	kuānsōng	loose-fitting	我喜欢宽松的裤子。	wǒ xǐhuan kuānsōng de kùzi.	I like loose-fitting pants.

Tops

Hanzi	Pinyin	Meaning	Example (ZH)	Example (Pinyin)	Translation (EN)
衬衫	chènshān	shirt	他穿了一件蓝色衬衫。	tā chuān le yí jiàn lánsè chènshān.	He is wearing a blue shirt.
T恤	T-xù	T-shirt	夏天我常穿T恤。	xiàtiān wǒ cháng chuān T-xù.	I often wear T-shirts in summer.
毛衣	máoyī	sweater	这件毛衣很暖和。	zhè jiàn máoyī hěn nuǎnhuo.	This sweater is very warm.
卫衣	wèiyī	sweatshirt; hoodie style top	我周末喜欢穿卫衣。	wǒ zhōumò xǐhuan chuān wèiyī.	I like wearing sweatshirts on weekends.
背心	bèixīn	tank top; vest	天气热的时候他穿背心。	tiānqì rè de shíhou tā chuān bèixīn.	He wears a tank top when it is hot.
夹克	jiákè	jacket	这件夹克看起来很酷。	zhè jiàn jiákè kàn qǐlái hěn kù.	This jacket looks cool.
西装	xīzhuāng	suit	面试时他穿了西装。	miànshì shí tā chuān le xīzhuāng.	He wore a suit to the interview.
大衣	dàyī	overcoat	冬天我需要一件大衣。	dōngtiān wǒ xūyào yí jiàn dàyī.	I need an overcoat in winter.
外套	wàitào	coat; jacket	别忘了带外套。	bié wàng le dài wàitào.	Do not forget to bring a coat.
羽绒服	yǔróngfú	down jacket	北方冬天常穿羽绒服。	běifāng dōngtiān cháng chuān yǔróngfú.	People often wear down jackets in northern winters.

Bottoms

Hanzi	Pinyin	Meaning	Example (ZH)	Example (Pinyin)	Translation (EN)
裤子	kùzi	pants	这条裤子很舒服。	zhè tiáo kùzi hěn shūfu.	These pants are very comfortable.
牛仔裤	niúzǎikù	jeans	我几乎每天都穿牛仔裤。	wǒ jīhū měitiān dōu chuān niúzǎikù.	I wear jeans almost every day.
短裤	duǎnkù	shorts	夏天穿短裤比较凉快。	xiàtiān chuān duǎnkù bǐjiào liángkuai.	Wearing shorts is cooler in summer.
裙子	qúnzi	skirt	她今天穿了一条长裙。	tā jīntiān chuān le yì tiáo chángqún.	She is wearing a long skirt today.
连衣裙	liányīqún	dress	这条连衣裙很漂亮。	zhè tiáo liányīqún hěn piàoliang.	This dress is very pretty.
运动裤	yùndòngkù	sweatpants; athletic pants	在家我喜欢穿运动裤。	zài jiā wǒ xǐhuan chuān yùndòngkù.	I like wearing sweatpants at home.
西裤	xīkù	dress pants	这条西裤很适合上班穿。	zhè tiáo xīkù hěn shìhé shàngbān chuān.	These dress pants are good for work.
打底裤	dǎdǐkù	leggings	天气冷的时候她穿打底裤。	tiānqì lěng de shíhou tā chuān dǎdǐkù.	She wears leggings when the weather is cold.
长裤	chángkù	long pants	学校要求学生穿长裤。	xuéxiào yāoqiú xuésheng chuān chángkù.	The school requires students to wear long pants.
睡裤	shuìkù	pajama pants	这条睡裤特别软。	zhè tiáo shuìkù tèbié ruǎn.	These pajama pants are especially soft.

Shoes, Socks, And Underlayers

Hanzi	Pinyin	Meaning	Example (ZH)	Example (Pinyin)	Translation (EN)
鞋	xié	shoes	你的鞋很好看。	nǐ de xié hěn hǎokàn.	Your shoes look nice.
运动鞋	yùndòngxié	sneakers	我跑步时穿运动鞋。	wǒ pǎobù shí chuān yùndòngxié.	I wear sneakers when I run.
皮鞋	píxié	leather shoes	开会的时候他穿皮鞋。	kāihuì de shíhou tā chuān píxié.	He wears leather shoes to meetings.
靴子	xuēzi	boots	下雪天穿靴子比较好。	xiàxuě tiān chuān xuēzi bǐjiào hǎo.	Boots are better on snowy days.
凉鞋	liángxié	sandals	海边很多人穿凉鞋。	hǎibiān hěnduō rén chuān liángxié.	Many people wear sandals by the sea.
拖鞋	tuōxié	slippers	回家后我马上换拖鞋。	huí jiā hòu wǒ mǎshàng huàn tuōxié.	I change into slippers as soon as I get home.
袜子	wàzi	socks	我找不到另一只袜子。	wǒ zhǎo bú dào lìng yì zhī wàzi.	I cannot find the other sock.
内衣	nèiyī	underwear	旅行时别忘了带内衣。	lǚxíng shí bié wàng le dài nèiyī.	Do not forget to bring underwear when traveling.
文胸	wénxiōng	bra	这件文胸穿起来很舒服。	zhè jiàn wénxiōng chuān qǐlái hěn shūfu.	This bra is comfortable to wear.
秋衣	qiūyī	thermal undershirt	天气冷了，我开始穿秋衣。	tiānqì lěng le, wǒ kāishǐ chuān qiūyī.	It is getting cold, so I started wearing a thermal undershirt.

Accessories

Hanzi	Pinyin	Meaning	Example (ZH)	Example (Pinyin)	Translation (EN)
帽子	màozi	hat	太阳很大，戴帽子吧。	tàiyáng hěn dà, dài màozi ba.	The sun is strong, wear a hat.
围巾	wéijīn	scarf	她的围巾是红色的。	tā de wéijīn shì hóngsè de.	Her scarf is red.
手套	shǒutào	gloves	冬天骑车要戴手套。	dōngtiān qíchē yào dài shǒutào.	You should wear gloves when cycling in winter.
皮带	pídài	belt	这条皮带有点旧。	zhè tiáo pídài yǒudiǎn jiù.	This belt is a bit old.
领带	lǐngdài	tie	他上班时常打领带。	tā shàngbān shí cháng dǎ lǐngdài.	He often wears a tie to work.
眼镜	yǎnjìng	glasses	我的眼镜放在桌子上。	wǒ de yǎnjìng fàng zài zhuōzi shàng.	My glasses are on the table.
太阳镜	tàiyángjìng	sunglasses	去海边别忘了带太阳镜。	qù hǎibiān bié wàng le dài tàiyángjìng.	Do not forget to bring sunglasses to the beach.
手表	shǒubiǎo	wristwatch	他的手表很简单。	tā de shǒubiǎo hěn jiǎndān.	His watch is very simple.
包	bāo	bag	她的新包很好看。	tā de xīn bāo hěn hǎokàn.	Her new bag looks nice.
背包	bēibāo	backpack	学生常背背包去学校。	xuésheng cháng bēi bēibāo qù xuéxiào.	Students often carry backpacks to school.

Colors, Materials, And Style Words

Hanzi	Pinyin	Meaning	Example (ZH)	Example (Pinyin)	Translation (EN)
白色	báisè	white	我想买白色T恤。	wǒ xiǎng mǎi báisè T-xù.	I want to buy a white T-shirt.
黑色	hēisè	black	黑色裤子比较百搭。	hēisè kùzi bǐjiào bǎidā.	Black pants are easier to match.
红色	hóngsè	red	她今天穿红色裙子。	tā jīntiān chuān hóngsè qúnzi.	She is wearing a red skirt today.
蓝色	lánsè	blue	这件蓝色衬衫很适合你。	zhè jiàn lánsè chènshān hěn shìhé nǐ.	This blue shirt suits you well.
棉	mián	cotton	我喜欢棉的衣服。	wǒ xǐhuan mián de yīfu.	I like cotton clothes.
羊毛	yángmáo	wool	这件大衣是羊毛的。	zhè jiàn dàyī shì yángmáo de.	This overcoat is made of wool.
丝绸	sīchóu	silk	这条围巾是丝绸的。	zhè tiáo wéijīn shì sīchóu de.	This scarf is made of silk.
时尚	shíshàng	fashionable	她的穿搭很时尚。	tā de chuāndā hěn shíshàng.	Her outfit is very fashionable.
休闲	xiūxián	casual	我平时喜欢休闲风格。	wǒ píngshí xǐhuan xiūxián fēnggé.	I usually like casual style.
正式	zhèngshì	formal	今晚的晚餐要穿正式一点。	jīnwǎn de wǎncān yào chuān zhèngshì yìdiǎn.	You should dress a bit more formally for tonight’s dinner.

Common Measure Words For Clothes

Chinese measure words matter. Yes, they are annoying at first. Yes, you still need them.

Measure Word	Pinyin	Used With	Example (ZH)	Example (Pinyin)	Translation (EN)
件	jiàn	shirts, coats, tops	我买了一件外套。	wǒ mǎi le yí jiàn wàitào.	I bought a coat.
条	tiáo	pants, skirts, scarves, ties	这条裤子很便宜。	zhè tiáo kùzi hěn piányi.	These pants are cheap.
双	shuāng	shoes, socks, gloves	我想买一双运动鞋。	wǒ xiǎng mǎi yì shuāng yùndòngxié.	I want to buy a pair of sneakers.
顶	dǐng	hats	他戴着一顶黑帽子。	tā dài zhe yì dǐng hēi màozi.	He is wearing a black hat.
副	fù	glasses	这副眼镜很轻。	zhè fù yǎnjìng hěn qīng.	These glasses are very light.

Common Mistakes And Easy Fixes

衣服 yīfu is general “clothes,” not one specific shirt or coat. Use a more specific word when needed.
穿 chuān means “to wear.” 戴 dài is often used for things you put on your head, face, or hands, like 帽子 màozi, 眼镜 yǎnjìng, and 手套 shǒutào.
裙子 qúnzi is usually “skirt.” For a full dress, 连衣裙 liányīqún is clearer.
外套 wàitào is a general outer layer. 夹克 jiákè, 大衣 dàyī, and 羽绒服 yǔróngfú are more specific.
T恤 T-xù keeps the English letter name. Chinese borrows plenty of clothing words and does not apologize for it.

Quick Reference Summary

Clothes: 衣服 yīfu
To Wear: 穿 chuān
Shirt: 衬衫 chènshān
T-shirt: T恤 T-xù
Pants: 裤子 kùzi
Dress: 连衣裙 liányīqún
Coat: 外套 wàitào
Shoes: 鞋 xié
Socks: 袜子 wàzi
Hat: 帽子 màozi
Try On: 试穿 shìchuān
Size: 尺码 chǐmǎ

Final Yak Box

If you remember just five words today, make them 衣服 yīfu, 穿 chuān, 衬衫 chènshān, 裤子 kùzi, and 鞋 xié. That tiny set already lets you describe what you wear, ask about clothes, and survive a basic shopping conversation without panic-smiling your way through it.