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A single pair of pink polka-dot women's panties resting on a clean, soft surface.

bragas

bra-gahs

nounfA2
panties?women's underwear
Also:knickers?British English term for women's underwear,underwear?general term

πŸ“ In Action

He comprado tres pares de bragas nuevas.

A2

I bought three new pairs of panties.

Toda su ropa estaba en la maleta, excepto las bragas.

B1

All her clothes were in the suitcase, except for the underwear.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • braguitas (little panties (often used for children's or smaller items))
  • calzones (underwear (common in Mexico and Chile))
  • bombachas (panties (common in Argentina and Uruguay))

Common Collocations

  • bragas de algodΓ³n – cotton panties
  • quedarse en bragas – to be left with nothing / to be caught off guard

Idioms & Expressions

  • en bragas – To be totally unprepared or to have very little information about a situation.

πŸ’‘ Grammar Points

Always Plural

Just like the English word 'pants,' this word is almost always used in the plural form 'bragas' even when you are talking about just one item.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Singular vs. Plural

Mistake: "Asking for 'una braga' when shopping for underwear."

Correction: Say 'unas bragas.' In Spain, 'una braga' (singular) often refers to a circular neck warmer or snood, not underwear.

⭐ Usage Tips

Know your region

Use 'bragas' in Spain. If you use it in Mexico or Argentina, people will understand you, but they might find it a bit funny or old-fashioned as they have their own local words.

✏️ Quick Practice

πŸ’‘ Quick Quiz: bragas

Question 1 of 2

If you are in a clothing store in Madrid and want to buy women's underwear, what should you ask for?

πŸ“š More Resources

Word Family

braguita(small/cute panties) - noun
braguero(medical truss/brace) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'bragas' used for men's underwear too?

No, 'bragas' is specifically for women's underwear. Men's underwear is usually called 'calzoncillos'.

Why do people say 'una braga' for a neck warmer?

In Spain, the term evolved to describe the circular piece of fabric you pull over your head to keep your neck warm, likely because of its shape.