A pair of men's boxer-style underwear laid flat on a solid blue background.

calzoncillos

kal-son-SEE-yos

nounmA1

underpants?men's underwear,briefs?specific style of underwear

Also:boxers?loose-fitting underwear,shorts?informal or regional term for underwear

📝 In Action

Tengo que comprar calzoncillos nuevos.

I have to buy new underpants.

¿Dónde pusiste mis calzoncillos limpios?

Where did you put my clean underwear?

Prefiero los calzoncillos de algodón.

I prefer cotton briefs.

Word Connections

Synonyms

ropa interior (underwear)
calzones (underpants (often used in Latin America))

Common Collocations

un par de calzoncillos – a pair of underpants
calzoncillos de marca – designer underwear

Idioms & Expressions

quedarse en calzoncillos – to be left with nothing or to be caught off guard

💡 Grammar Points

Always Plural

Just like 'pants' or 'scissors' in English, we usually use this word in its plural form even when talking about just one item.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Singular vs. Plural

Mistake: "Busco un calzoncillo."

Correction: Busco unos calzoncillos.

⭐ Usage Tips

Gender Specifics

While 'ropa interior' is for everyone, 'calzoncillos' is specifically used for men's underwear. For women's underwear, the word is 'bragas'.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: calzoncillos

Question 1 of 2

If a man is looking for his underwear in a store in Spain, what should he ask for?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

calzón(breeches/large undergarment) - noun

calzado(footwear) - noun

calzar(to wear shoes) - verb

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'calzoncillos' used for both boxers and briefs?

Yes, it is a general term that covers all types of men's underwear. If you want to be specific, you can say 'calzoncillos ajustados' for briefs or 'boxers' (using the English word) for boxers.

Is it offensive to say 'calzoncillos'?

No, it is a perfectly normal, neutral word for underwear. It is not slang or a 'bad word'.