【Learn Chinese】Summer Fashion in Chinese (Part 2)

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 into part 2 of our article!

Swimsuit 泳衣
Already curated your collection of swimsuits for this year’s summer season? Nothing says summer like a swimsuit – it reminds us of sunny beach days and happy times by the pool.
In Chinese, “swimsuit” translates to 游泳衣 (yóu yǒng yī), a term that quite literally translates to “swimming clothes.” But in daily conversation, Chinese speakers often opt for brevity and drop the first character, using 泳衣 (yǒng yī) as a shorthand for all types of swimming attire, regardless of gender or number of pieces.
But what about when you need to specify the gender? Don’t worry! The Chinese language has got you covered. For women’s swimsuits, simply add the word for “woman” 女, yielding 女泳衣 (nǚ yǒngyī). Likewise, men’s swimsuits become 男泳衣 (nán yǒngyī) by appending the word for “male” 男.

Swim trunks 泳裤
Now, here’s a bit of a linguistic win for you – the characters in 泳裤 (yǒng kù) should look quite familiar to you. Remember the character 泳 from swimsuits (泳衣) and 裤 from our exploration of shorts (短裤)? Put them together, and you’ve got “swim trunks” or, more literally, “swimming pants”!
Not only are swim trunks comfortable for a swim, but they are also often cherished for their convenience and flexibility. No need to change clothes to grab a bite after a refreshing dip in the water; your 泳裤 (yǒng kù) is perfect for the beach bar or the poolside lounge!

Swimming goggles 泳镜
Let’s keep the ball rolling with our swimming-themed exploration. Next up: the Chinese term for “swimming goggles,” 泳镜 (yǒng jìng). As you’ve already mastered the character 泳, all that’s left to tackle is the new character 镜 (jìng), which translates to “glass” or “mirror.” So, when you put it together, 泳镜 (yǒng jìng) literally means “swimming glass.”

Bikini 比基尼
Diving deeper into our swimming theme, let’s talk about the ultimate beachwear – the bikini. This two-piece swimsuit symbolizes femininity and freedom of expression.
The Chinese term for “bikini” is 比基尼 (bǐ jī ní), which, similar to T恤 (T xù), is a loanword from English. So, while learning how to pronounce it, you can rely on your familiarity with the English term. Fashioned for the beach, 比基尼 are the symbol of summer relaxation.

Sunglasses 墨镜
Next on our list is another summer essential – sunglasses, or 墨镜 (mò jìng) in Chinese. The character 墨 translates to “ink,” and 镜 is from our exploration of swimming goggles (泳镜). So, the term 墨镜 can be literally translated as “ink glasses,” a poetic nod to the tinted lenses that protect our eyes from the sun’s glare. Not only do 墨镜 shield your eyes, but they also add an extra touch of style to your summer outfits.