【Learn Chinese】Summer Fashion in Chinese (Part 1)

Summer is officially here! As you gear up for this season of fun-filled activities, one thing needs your immediate attention – your closet.
But fear not, we’ve compiled a list of the top 10 Chinese words for summer fashion to ensure you’re well-prepared. Are you ready to transform your Spring wardrobe into a Summer fashion spectacle with us? Let’s dive right in!

Hat 帽子
A hat isn’t just a fashion statement. It’s a shield, a protector, and a guardian of your skin against harmful UV rays, significantly reducing the chances of unwelcome sunburns.
In Chinese, the word for “hat” is 帽子 (mào zi). Here, 帽 stands for “hat” or “cap,” while 子 is a suffix that doesn’t carry a specific meaning in itself. Think of 帽子 as your passport term – it can whisk you away to the realm of various hat styles, from sun hats (太阳帽; tài yáng mào), cowboy hats (牛仔帽; niú zǎi mào) to baseball caps (棒球帽; bàng qiú mào). Interestingly, when it comes to specific types of hats, the suffix 子 takes a bow and steps back. In other words, it should be omitted.

Skirt 裙子
Imagine a summer breeze softly billowing a comfortable, stylish skirt. It’s an image synonymous with summer – and with good reason! Skirts are not only fashionable but also practical and an absolute essential for those long, hot summer days.
In Chinese, “skirt” translates to 裙子 (qún zi). Notice the familiar suffix 子 again? Similar to its role in 帽子, it doesn’t carry any particular meaning in 裙子, but it does play a vital role in steering clear of any potential homophone confusion as there are many Chinese words sharing the same pronunciation as 裙 (qún).
Just like 帽子, 裙子 is an all-encompassing term referring to a variety of skirts. Whether you’re slipping into a long skirt (长裙; cháng qún), a short skirt (短裙; duǎn qún), or a playful jumper skirt (背心裙; bèi xīn qún), 裙子 is your go-to word.

Shorts 短裤
The eternal summer question: skirts or shorts? Everyone has their preference, and for many, shorts win the day. Offering optimal comfort, freedom of movement, and an unbeatable way to beat the heat, shorts are a go-to garment for many on those sweltering summer days.
In Chinese, “shorts” translate to 短裤 (duǎn kù). The term is quite literal, with 短 meaning “short” in length and 裤 translating to “pants” or “trousers.” This gives you an easy way to remember the term: “short pants”!
But the world of shorts isn’t one-size-fits-all. The term 短裤 encapsulates a variety of styles. You could be reaching for your gym shorts (运动短裤; yùn dòng duǎn kù) or maybe your denim cut-offs (牛仔短褲; niú zǎi duǎn kù) for a beach day. No matter the style, the term 短裤 has got you covered.

T-shirt T恤
Isn’t it fascinating to find English letters in the midst of Chinese characters? This is exactly the case with T恤 (T xù), a loanword that comes directly from the English term “T-shirt.” It might seem unusual, but such is the charming surprise language brings us!
With the arrival of summer comes the season of T恤. Pack a handful of these, mix and match them with a pair of 短裤 (duǎn kù) or two, don’t forget your 帽子 (mào zi), and voila! You’re all set for your sun-soaked summer vacation.

Sandal 涼鞋
Last but not least, let’s talk about sandals, or 涼鞋 (liáng xié) in Chinese. The word 涼 (liáng) means ”cool,“ and 鞋 (xié) means ”shoe,“ making 涼鞋 a ”cool shoe“ – an apt description of this summer footwear. Sandals, with their open design, keep your feet cool and comfortable, even on the hottest summer days. Whether you’re headed to the beach or exploring the city, a pair of 涼鞋 is your perfect summer companion!