Clothes Vocabulary in Traditional Chinese: 60+ Everyday Words (No Runway Stuff)

衣服與穿搭常用字｜Characters + pinyin + meanings + real-life examples

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Want to buy clothes, describe what you’re wearing, or tell someone “this is too tight” without sounding like a confused mannequin? Here are 60+ common clothes words in Traditional Chinese with pinyin, clear meanings, and copy-paste examples. Bonus: you’ll also get the most-used clothing sentence patterns (try-on, sizes, matching, discounts).

Tip: tap the audio buttons to hear Taiwan Mandarin (zh-TW). Your mouth will still do what it wants… but at least you’ll know what you meant.

Yak Snark 🧦

Clothing vocab is basically: “I like it,” “I don’t like it,” and “Why does this size lie to me?” Let’s learn the words for all three.

1) The “I actually use these” clothing words

These are high-utility basics you’ll see everywhere—stores, labels, and daily conversation.

衣服

yīfú

clothes

我今天穿得很簡單，只有一套衣服。

Wǒ jīntiān chuān de hěn jiǎndān, zhǐyǒu yí tào yīfú.

I’m dressed simply today—just one outfit.

襯衫

chènshān

button-up shirt

這件襯衫很正式，適合面試。

Zhè jiàn chènshān hěn zhèngshì, shìhé miànshì.

This shirt is formal—good for an interview.

T恤

tīxù

T-shirt

我喜歡白色T恤，怎麼搭都不會錯。

Wǒ xǐhuān báisè tīxù, zěnme dā dōu bù huì cuò.

I like white T-shirts—hard to mess up the match.

褲子

kùzi

pants

這條褲子有點緊，我想換大一號。

Zhè tiáo kùzi yǒudiǎn jǐn, wǒ xiǎng huàn dà yí hào.

These pants are a bit tight—I want one size bigger.

裙子

qúnzi

skirt

這件裙子很輕，夏天穿很舒服。

Zhè jiàn qúnzi hěn qīng, xiàtiān chuān hěn shūfu.

This skirt is light—super comfy in summer.

外套

wàitào

jacket / coat

冷氣太強，我先把外套穿上。

Lěngqì tài qiáng, wǒ xiān bǎ wàitào chuān shàng.

The AC is too strong—I’ll put my jacket on first.

鞋子

xiézi

shoes

這雙鞋子穿起來很舒服，我想買。

Zhè shuāng xiézi chuān qǐlái hěn shūfu, wǒ xiǎng mǎi.

These shoes feel comfy—I want to buy them.

帽子

màozi

hat / cap

太陽很大，戴帽子比較不會曬。

Tàiyáng hěn dà, dài màozi bǐjiào bù huì shài.

The sun is strong—wearing a hat helps.

1.01) Try-on + sizes + matching: 10 patterns you’ll actually say

Memorize the pattern, swap the clothing word. Congrats, you’re suddenly functional in a store.

Pattern: 想 + 試穿

我想試穿這件。

Wǒ xiǎng shìchuān zhè jiàn.

I want to try this on.

Swap 這件 for 這條 / 這雙 depending on the item.

Pattern: 有沒有…？

你有沒有大一號？

Nǐ yǒu méiyǒu dà yí hào?

Do you have one size bigger?

Also works for colors: 你有沒有黑色？

Pattern: 太 + adj + 了

這件太大了。

Zhè jiàn tài dà le.

This is too big.

Swap 大 for 小 / 長 / 短 / 厚.

Pattern: 有點 + adj

這條褲子有點緊。

Zhè tiáo kùzi yǒudiǎn jǐn.

These pants are a bit tight.

Softens the complaint. Very polite. Very useful.

Pattern: 適合 + someone

這件很適合你。

Zhè jiàn hěn shìhé nǐ.

This suits you.

Nice compliment. Also: 不太適合我 = doesn’t really suit me.

Pattern: 跟…很搭

這件跟那條牛仔褲很搭。

Zhè jiàn gēn nà tiáo niúzǎikù hěn dā.

This goes well with those jeans.

搭 = match. Short, sweet, and not textbook-y.

Pattern: …穿起來 + feeling

這雙鞋穿起來很舒服。

Zhè shuāng xié chuān qǐlái hěn shūfu.

These shoes feel comfortable to wear.

穿起來 = “when worn” (the experience).

Pattern: 把 + object + verb

我把外套穿上了。

Wǒ bǎ wàitào chuān shàng le.

I put my jacket on.

把 makes the action feel “completed.” Handy in daily speech.

Pattern: 先…再…

先穿襪子，再穿鞋子。

Xiān chuān wàzi, zài chuān xiézi.

First put on socks, then shoes.

Perfect for giving instructions (or bossing friends around).

Pattern: 可以…嗎？

可以退貨或換貨嗎？

Kěyǐ tuìhuò huò huànhuò ma?

Can I return or exchange it?

Add 這件 / 這條 / 這雙 if you want to be extra clear.

1.1) Tiny grammar that saves you (wearing verbs + classifiers)

In English you “wear” everything. In Chinese, the verb changes a bit: 穿 for clothing (shirts, pants), 戴 for things on your head/face/hands (hats, glasses, gloves), and 繫 for ties (領帶). Also, you’ll count items with classifiers like 一件 (tops/coats), 一條 (pants/skirts), and 一雙 (shoes/socks).

2) Table of clothes words (grouped, so your brain doesn’t cry)

Each row includes Traditional Chinese, pinyin, meaning, a real example (with pinyin), and audio.

Tops & outfits

Traditional Chinese	Pinyin	Meaning (EN)	Example (ZH + Pinyin)	Translation (EN)
上衣	shàngyī	top / upper clothing	這件上衣很輕。 Zhè jiàn shàngyī hěn qīng.	This top is very light.
短袖	duǎnxiù	short sleeves	夏天我喜歡穿短袖。 Xiàtiān wǒ xǐhuān chuān duǎnxiù.	In summer I like wearing short sleeves.
長袖	chángxiù	long sleeves	早上有點冷，我換長袖。 Zǎoshang yǒudiǎn lěng, wǒ huàn chángxiù.	It’s a bit cold in the morning, so I switched to long sleeves.
毛衣	máoyī	sweater	這件毛衣很保暖。 Zhè jiàn máoyī hěn bǎonuǎn.	This sweater is very warm.
衛衣	wèiyī	sweatshirt	他穿衛衣去上課。 Tā chuān wèiyī qù shàngkè.	He wears a sweatshirt to class.
連帽衫	liánmào shān	hoodie	這件連帽衫有口袋。 Zhè jiàn liánmào shān yǒu kǒudài.	This hoodie has pockets.
背心	bèixīn	tank top / vest	運動時我穿背心。 Yùndòng shí wǒ chuān bèixīn.	I wear a tank top when I exercise.
洋裝	yángzhuāng	dress (common in Taiwan)	她穿洋裝看起來很正式。 Tā chuān yángzhuāng kàn qǐlái hěn zhèngshì.	She looks very formal in a dress.
西裝外套	xīzhuāng wàitào	blazer	開會時我穿西裝外套。 Kāihuì shí wǒ chuān xīzhuāng wàitào.	I wear a blazer for meetings.
制服	zhìfú	uniform	這家店的制服是藍色的。 Zhè jiā diàn de zhìfú shì lánsè de.	The uniform at this shop is blue.

Bottoms

Traditional Chinese	Pinyin	Meaning (EN)	Example (ZH + Pinyin)	Translation (EN)
長褲	chángkù	long pants	今天下雨，我穿長褲。 Jīntiān xiàyǔ, wǒ chuān chángkù.	It’s raining today, so I’m wearing long pants.
短褲	duǎnkù	shorts	天氣很熱，我穿短褲。 Tiānqì hěn rè, wǒ chuān duǎnkù.	It’s hot, so I’m wearing shorts.
牛仔褲	niúzǎikù	jeans	這條牛仔褲很百搭。 Zhè tiáo niúzǎikù hěn bǎidā.	These jeans match with almost anything.
內搭褲	nèidā kù	leggings (for layering)	裙子裡可以穿內搭褲。 Qúnzi lǐ kěyǐ chuān nèidā kù.	You can wear leggings under a skirt.
運動褲	yùndòngkù	sports pants / sweatpants	他穿運動褲去跑步。 Tā chuān yùndòngkù qù pǎobù.	He wears sweatpants to go running.
西裝褲	xīzhuāngkù	dress pants	這條西裝褲很合身。 Zhè tiáo xīzhuāngkù hěn héshēn.	These dress pants fit well.
裙褲	qúnkù	skort	裙褲走路很方便。 Qúnkù zǒulù hěn fāngbiàn.	Skorts are convenient for walking.
瑜伽褲	yújiā kù	yoga pants	我買了新的瑜伽褲。 Wǒ mǎile xīn de yújiā kù.	I bought new yoga pants.

Outerwear

Traditional Chinese	Pinyin	Meaning (EN)	Example (ZH + Pinyin)	Translation (EN)
夾克	jiákè	jacket	這件夾克有點厚。 Zhè jiàn jiákè yǒudiǎn hòu.	This jacket is a bit thick.
風衣	fēngyī	trench coat / windbreaker coat	春天穿風衣剛剛好。 Chūntiān chuān fēngyī gānggāng hǎo.	A trench coat is perfect in spring.
大衣	dàyī	overcoat	冬天我需要一件大衣。 Dōngtiān wǒ xūyào yí jiàn dàyī.	In winter, I need an overcoat.
羽絨外套	yǔróng wàitào	down jacket	羽絨外套很保暖。 Yǔróng wàitào hěn bǎonuǎn.	Down jackets are very warm.
雨衣	yǔyī	raincoat	下雨別忘了帶雨衣。 Xiàyǔ bié wàngle dài yǔyī.	Don’t forget a raincoat when it rains.
針織外套	zhēnzhī wàitào	knit cardigan	冷氣太強，我披上針織外套。 Lěngqì tài qiáng, wǒ pī shàng zhēnzhī wàitào.	The AC is strong, so I put on a cardigan.
披肩	pījiān	shawl	她用披肩蓋住肩膀。 Tā yòng pījiān gài zhù jiānbǎng.	She covered her shoulders with a shawl.

Shoes & socks

Traditional Chinese	Pinyin	Meaning (EN)	Example (ZH + Pinyin)	Translation (EN)
襪子	wàzi	socks	我每天換襪子。 Wǒ měitiān huàn wàzi.	I change socks every day.
絲襪	sīwà	stockings / tights	她穿黑色絲襪。 Tā chuān hēisè sīwà.	She’s wearing black stockings.
運動鞋	yùndòngxié	sneakers	走很多路要穿運動鞋。 Zǒu hěn duō lù yào chuān yùndòngxié.	If you’re walking a lot, wear sneakers.
皮鞋	píxié	leather shoes / dress shoes	上班我常穿皮鞋。 Shàngbān wǒ cháng chuān píxié.	I often wear dress shoes to work.
高跟鞋	gāogēnxié	high heels	高跟鞋好看但不一定舒服。 Gāogēnxié hǎokàn dàn bù yídìng shūfu.	Heels look nice but aren’t always comfortable.
靴子	xuēzi	boots	這雙靴子防水。 Zhè shuāng xuēzi fángshuǐ.	These boots are waterproof.
涼鞋	liángxié	sandals	夏天穿涼鞋很涼快。 Xiàtiān chuān liángxié hěn liángkuai.	Sandals feel nice and cool in summer.
拖鞋	tuōxié	slippers	在家我只穿拖鞋。 Zài jiā wǒ zhǐ chuān tuōxié.	At home I only wear slippers.
鞋帶	xiédài	shoelaces	你的鞋帶鬆了。 Nǐ de xiédài sōng le.	Your shoelaces are loose.

Accessories

Traditional Chinese	Pinyin	Meaning (EN)	Example (ZH + Pinyin)	Translation (EN)
圍巾	wéijīn	scarf	早上冷，我戴圍巾。 Zǎoshang lěng, wǒ dài wéijīn.	It’s cold in the morning, so I wear a scarf.
手套	shǒutào	gloves	騎車要戴手套。 Qí chē yào dài shǒutào.	Wear gloves when riding a scooter/bike.
皮帶	pídài	belt	這條皮帶太長了。 Zhè tiáo pídài tài cháng le.	This belt is too long.
領帶	lǐngdài	tie	他把領帶繫好。 Tā bǎ lǐngdài jì hǎo.	He tied his tie properly.
包包	bāobāo	bag / purse	我的包包放不下水瓶。 Wǒ de bāobāo fàng bù xià shuǐpíng.	My bag can’t fit a water bottle.
背包	bèibāo	backpack	旅行我用背包。 Lǚxíng wǒ yòng bèibāo.	I use a backpack when traveling.
太陽眼鏡	tàiyáng yǎnjìng	sunglasses	太陽很大，我戴太陽眼鏡。 Tàiyáng hěn dà, wǒ dài tàiyáng yǎnjìng.	The sun is strong, so I wear sunglasses.
口罩	kǒuzhào	face mask	捷運上我會戴口罩。 Jiéyùn shàng wǒ huì dài kǒuzhào.	I wear a mask on the MRT.
耳環	ěrhuán	earrings	她今天戴小耳環。 Tā jīntiān dài xiǎo ěrhuán.	She’s wearing small earrings today.
項鍊	xiàngliàn	necklace	這條項鍊很漂亮。 Zhè tiáo xiàngliàn hěn piàoliang.	This necklace is very pretty.
戒指	jièzhǐ	ring	他送我一枚戒指。 Tā sòng wǒ yì méi jièzhǐ.	He gave me a ring.

Materials & patterns

Traditional Chinese	Pinyin	Meaning (EN)	Example (ZH + Pinyin)	Translation (EN)
棉	mián	cotton	這件T恤是棉的。 Zhè jiàn tīxù shì mián de.	This T-shirt is cotton.
羊毛	yángmáo	wool	羊毛毛衣要小心洗。 Yángmáo máoyī yào xiǎoxīn xǐ.	Wash wool sweaters carefully.
亞麻	yàmá	linen	夏天穿亞麻很透氣。 Xiàtiān chuān yàmá hěn tòuqì.	Linen is very breathable in summer.
絲	sī	silk	絲質的襯衫很滑。 Sīzhì de chènshān hěn huá.	Silk shirts feel very smooth.
皮革	pígé	leather	他的外套是皮革的。 Tā de wàitào shì pígé de.	His jacket is leather.
牛仔布	niúzǎibù	denim	牛仔布比較耐穿。 Niúzǎibù bǐjiào nàichuān.	Denim is more durable.
條紋	tiáowén	stripes	我喜歡條紋上衣。 Wǒ xǐhuān tiáowén shàngyī.	I like striped tops.
格子	gézi	plaid / checks	這件格子襯衫很好搭。 Zhè jiàn gézi chènshān hěn hǎo dā.	This plaid shirt is easy to match.
印花	yìnhuā	print (pattern)	印花裙子很可愛。 Yìnhuā qúnzi hěn kě’ài.	Printed skirts are cute.

3) Useful variants: classifiers + “wear” verbs

If you learn just these, your sentences instantly sound more natural.

Traditional Chinese	Pinyin	Meaning / Use (EN)	Example (ZH + Pinyin)	Translation (EN)
件	jiàn	classifier for tops/coats (一件…)	我買了兩件衣服。 Wǒ mǎile liǎng jiàn yīfú.	I bought two pieces of clothing.
條	tiáo	classifier for pants/skirts/belts (一條…)	這條褲子很舒服。 Zhè tiáo kùzi hěn shūfu.	These pants are very comfortable.
雙	shuāng	classifier for pairs (shoes/socks) (一雙…)	我需要一雙新鞋。 Wǒ xūyào yì shuāng xīn xié.	I need a new pair of shoes.
頂	dǐng	classifier for hats (一頂…)	他戴一頂帽子。 Tā dài yì dǐng màozi.	He’s wearing a hat.
副	fù	classifier for glasses (一副眼鏡)	我想買一副太陽眼鏡。 Wǒ xiǎng mǎi yí fù tàiyáng yǎnjìng.	I want to buy a pair of sunglasses.
穿	chuān	to wear (clothes)	你今天穿什麼？ Nǐ jīntiān chuān shénme?	What are you wearing today?
戴	dài	to wear (hat/glasses/mask/gloves)	外面冷，戴上手套。 Wàimiàn lěng, dài shàng shǒutào.	It’s cold outside—put on gloves.
繫	jì	to tie/fasten (tie)	請把領帶繫好。 Qǐng bǎ lǐngdài jì hǎo.	Please fasten your tie properly.
佩戴	pèidài	to wear (jewelry; a bit formal)	他佩戴了一條項鍊。 Tā pèidài le yì tiáo xiàngliàn.	He’s wearing a necklace.
搭配	dāpèi	to match / to pair (outfits)	這件上衣很好搭配牛仔褲。 Zhè jiàn shàngyī hěn hǎo dāpèi niúzǎikù.	This top pairs well with jeans.

Yak Snark 👕

If a shirt says “free size,” it means “free to disappoint everyone.” Use 你有沒有大一號？ and reclaim your dignity.

Yak Snark 🧦

1) The “I actually use these” clothing words

1.01) Try-on + sizes + matching: 10 patterns you’ll actually say

1.1) Tiny grammar that saves you (wearing verbs + classifiers)

2) Table of clothes words (grouped, so your brain doesn’t cry)

Tops & outfits

Bottoms

Outerwear

Shoes & socks

Accessories

Materials & patterns

3) Useful variants: classifiers + “wear” verbs

Yak Snark 👕

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