Inklingo

How to Say "knickers" in Spanish

English → Spanish

braga

bra-gahˈbɾa.ɣa

nounA2informal
Use 'braga' for women's underwear, particularly in Spain, and it's generally considered the more common and neutral term for panties.
A pair of simple, colorful women's panties laid flat on a solid background.

Examples

Necesito comprar bragas nuevas de algodón.

I need to buy new cotton panties.

He comprado un paquete de bragas de algodón.

I bought a pack of cotton panties.

¿Dónde has guardado las bragas limpias?

Where did you put the clean knickers?

Usa bragas cómodas para hacer deporte.

Wear comfortable underwear for exercising.

Usually Plural

Even though you are talking about one item, people in Spain almost always say 'las bragas' (plural) instead of 'la braga' (singular).

Gender and Articles

This word is feminine, so always use 'la' or 'las'.

Regional Misunderstanding

Mistake:Using 'bragas' to mean panties in Mexico.

Correction: In Mexico, use 'calzones' or 'pantaletas'. In Spain, 'bragas' is the standard word.

calzón

nounA2informal
Use 'calzón' for men's or women's underwear, often implying a more traditional or basic style, and it is more common in some Latin American countries than 'braga'.

Examples

Mi abuelo todavía usa calzones largos en invierno.

My grandfather still wears long johns in the winter.

Braga vs. Calzón

The most common mistake is using 'calzón' when referring specifically to women's underwear in Spain, where 'braga' is the standard. While 'calzón' can be used for both men and women, 'braga' is more specific to women's panties.

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