Clothing Vocabulary List in Spanish
Discover key Spanish vocabulary related to clothing. Learn common terms for different types of garments and their uses.
liso
smooth
The Spanish word 'liso' translates to 'smooth' in English. It can be used to describe various types of surfaces that are free from bumps or roughness. For example, in context, 'un papel liso' means 'a smooth paper'. Its usage is not just confined to physical objects but can also extend to abstract notions like smooth transitions or operations.
llevar al tinte
take the dye
The phrase 'llevar al tinte' in Spanish does not directly translate to 'take the dye' in English. It is actually an idiomatic expression that is roughly equivalent to the English phrase 'to take to the cleaners'. This phrase is often used in a figurative context to refer to the process of thoroughly defeating someone or taking advantage of them, especially in a financial context.
manchas
stains
The Spanish word 'manchas' translates to 'stains' in English. This term can refer to both a physical mark or discoloration that is difficult to remove, such as a stain on clothing or furniture, and a metaphorical stain or blemish on a person's character or reputation. It is a noun and is used in various contexts, such as household cleaning, personal hygiene, and abstract discussions about morality and ethics.
Example sentences with manchas →medias
socks
The Spanish word 'medias' translates to 'socks' in English. It is a feminine, plural noun that pertains to the clothing item worn on the feet, before shoes. The singular form is 'media'. Typically, 'medias' can be of various types, including, but not limited to, sports socks, woolen socks, summer socks, winter socks, ankle socks, etc.
meter el dobladillo
to tuck the hem
The Spanish phrase 'meter el dobladillo' literally translates to 'to put in the hem' but is used in context to mean 'to tuck the hem'. It often refers to the action of folding an edge over on itself and securing it, commonly in reference to fabrics or clothing items.
meter la cintura
to tuck in the waist
The Spanish phrase 'meter la cintura' directly translates to 'to tuck in the waist' in English. It is often used in the context of adjusting clothing for a better fit or to achieve a certain style. For example, when you tuck in a shirt or blouse into your pants, skirt or shorts, you are 'metiendo la cintura'. This phrase can be literal or metaphorical, meaning the act of toning or reducing one's waist size through exercise or dieting. As with all phrases, the specific context often determines the exact meaning.
meter la manga
Put your sleeve in
The Spanish phrase 'meter la manga' is a direct translation for 'put your sleeve in' in English. It is composed of 'meter' which means 'put' or 'insert', 'la' that translates to 'the', and 'manga' translates to 'sleeve'. It is typically used in contexts where you are referring to the action of inserting or putting a sleeve into something else such as a coat or jacket. However, its use can be extended to other similar contexts as well.
minifalda
miniskirt
The Spanish word 'minifalda' translates to 'miniskirt' in English. A miniskirt refers to a skirt with a hemline well above the knees, generally no longer than 10 cm (4 in) below the buttocks. The term 'minifalda' is a combination of two words in Spanish. 'Mini' refers to something that is very small or minimal, and 'falda' means skirt. Therefore, when combined, 'minifalda' represents a very short skirt, aligning with its English translation, miniskirt.
modelo
model
The Spanish word for 'model' is 'modelo'. It could be a noun referring to a particular design of a product, or a representation of a specific situation, object or person. 'Modelo' is also used metaphorically to refer to a good or ideal example of something, whether it's a behavior, a thought process or a lifestyle. Just like in English, context plays a key role in determining what 'modelo' refers to in any given sentence.
Example sentences with modelo →pantalones
pants
A piece of clothing covering the body from the waist to the ankles, with a separate part for each leg.
Example sentences with pantalones →pañuelo
scarf
The word 'pañuelo' is a common term in Spanish which translates to 'scarf' in English. It refers to a piece of fabric, often rectangular in shape, that is worn around the neck for warmth, sun protection, cleanliness, fashion, or religious reasons. In colder climates, it is typically made of wool or heavy cloth to provide warmth, whereas in warmer climates, it may be made of lighter materials such as silk or cotton. The term 'pañuelo' can also refer to a smaller piece of cloth used as a handkerchief.
pasarela
runway
The Spanish word 'pasarela' translates to 'runway' in English. This can refer to the long, narrow ramp that models walk on during a fashion show, or the similar structure used for the landing and takeoff of aircraft. It may also refer to a walkway or path that serves as a passage between different places, such as a bridge over a road or river. The word 'pasarela' illustrates the concept of a path or platform designed for movement or presentation.
percha
hanger
The Spanish word 'percha' translates to 'hanger' in English. It is a common household item used for hanging clothes in a closet or wardrobe to prevent them from getting wrinkled. The word 'percha' is a feminine noun in Spanish, therefore, it is used in contexts like 'la percha' meaning 'the hanger'. It is a simple, yet essential item in everyday life, widely used across different cultures and countries.
perezoso
lazy
The Spanish word 'perezoso' translates to 'lazy' in English. This adjective is used to describe a person, animal, or entity that doesn't like to work hard or do anything that requires effort. It is similar to words like 'sluggish', 'indolent', 'inactive', or 'slothful' in English.
pijama
pajama
The Spanish word 'pijama' translates to 'pajama' in English. This word is a noun, which often refers to a pair of loose-fitting clothes worn for sleeping. It consists of trousers and a jacket, sometimes accompanied by a pajama top. In colloquial language, it can also imply staying in and relaxing in your home, usually in your pajamas. The plural form is 'pijamas' in Spanish, similar to the English plural 'pajamas'.
ponerse
to put on
The Spanish verb 'ponerse' translates to 'to put on' in English. It is most commonly used when referring to putting on items of clothing, jewellery or accessories. For instance, 'Me voy a poner el abrigo' would mean 'I am going to put on the coat'. 'Ponerse' is reflexive, indicating the action is done to oneself. However, it can also refer to taking on or adopting a particular state, condition, or attitude, such as 'ponerse feliz' (to become happy). Like many Spanish verbs, it changes endings to match tense and subject.
probador
fitting room
The Spanish word 'probador' translates to 'fitting room' in English. It is a place within a store where one can try on clothes privately before purchasing them, to ensure they fit correctly and are to the shopper's liking. This term is commonly used in clothing and department stores.
probarse
to try on
The Spanish verb 'probarse' translates to 'to try on' in English. It refers to the action of trying on clothing or footwear before buying it in order to check size, style, or preference. It can also be used in different contexts, such as trying on roles in a play. In general, 'probarse' means to experience or test something before making a commitment.
quedar ajustado
adjusted
The Spanish phrase 'quedar ajustado' translates to 'adjusted' in English. It is often used to indicate that something has been modified or altered to fit or correspond accurately to something else. It's typically used in the context of making alterations to clothing or adjusting a plan or schedule to suit certain needs.
quedar ancho
wide
The Spanish expression 'quedar ancho' doesn't directly translate to 'wide' in English. However, it is often used in situations where an item is too large or doesn't fit properly, as in the case of clothing. So in the context of 'The shirt is wide on me', you would say 'La camiseta me queda ancha'. It can also be used figuratively in the sense of feeling satisfied or fulfilled.
quedar apretado
tighten
The Spanish phrase 'quedar apretado' can be translated into English as 'tighten'. However, it's a phrase rather than a single word, and it's more commonly used in the context of something becoming tight, fitting tightly, or being tight on space or time. In literal terms, 'quedar' means 'to stay' or 'to remain', and 'apretado' means 'tight', so it can be thought of as something remaining tight or becoming tight.
quedar como un guante
to fit like a glove
'Quedar como un guante' is a Spanish phrase that directly translates to 'fit like a glove' in English. This idiomatic expression is used to describe something fitting well or perfectly, whether it's a physical object like clothing or a circumstance that perfectly suits a situation or person.
quedar corto
stay short
The Spanish phrase 'quedar corto' translates to 'stay short' in English. However, the phrase is commonly used in situations where something is not enough, undersupplies, or insufficient. It could be quantifiable things like time, money, or non-quantifiable ones such as efforts or requirements. This is an idiomatic expression and is often used to analyze or review a certain outcome or result, implying that the result is not as expected or falls short of expectations.
quedar estrecho
fits tightly
The Spanish phrase 'quedar estrecho' translates to 'fits tightly' in English. This phrase is often used to describe clothes or spaces that are just enough to accommodate someone or something. An example of its usage would be when a shirt or pair of pants fits perfectly, or when there is just enough room for a piece of furniture. It's often used to express the idea of fitting snuggly or securely, rather than feeling loose or spacious.
quedar flojo
stay loose.
The Spanish phrase 'quedar flojo' is translated as 'stay loose' in English. It is often utilized to describe a situation or condition where something doesn't fit or is not tight enough. For example, this phrase could be used when speaking about clothes that are a bit too big and therefore hang loose on a person, or a knot that wasn't tied tightly and is now loose.
quedar grande
fits loosely
The Spanish phrase 'quedar grande' translates to 'fits loosely' in English. This phrase is typically used to describe clothing or accessories that are too big for the wearer. As a result, the item does not fit properly and hangs loosely on the wearer. This phrase carries with it a negative connotation as it implies that the attire does not look as good as it should, due to improper sizing.
quedar largo
stay long
The Spanish phrase 'quedar largo' is often used to describe a situation where something, such as a piece of clothing or an event, will take an extended period of time or is longer than expected, with an English equivalent phrase being 'stay long'. This phrase can be used in a variety of contexts, typically in informal conversations. It's notable that this phrase is more literal, and may not be used as much as time related idioms in English.
quedar mal
fits badly
The Spanish phrase 'quedar mal' can be translated to 'fits badly' in English. This phrase is often used to describe something that doesn't fit properly or is ill-suited for a particular situation or person. It can be used in various contexts including when discussing clothing, ideas, or even behaviors. 'Quedar mal' may also be used metaphorically to infer that a person's actions or behavior does not conform or is inappropriate given societal norms or expectations.
quedar pequeño
stay small
The Spanish term 'quedar pequeño' does not directly translate to 'stay small' in English. It is a figurative phrase generally used to mean that something is getting too small or not sufficient anymore. For example, if a child is growing up and his clothes do not fit anymore, in Spanish we say 'la ropa le queda pequeña'. So, the term is more contextually used to refer to outgrowing something or when something is no longer big enough or adequate.
quitarse
take off
The Spanish verb 'quitarse' translates to 'take off' in English. It refers to the act of removing something that one is wearing. For example, if you want to say 'take off your shoes' in Spanish, you would say 'quítate los zapatos'. Remember, this verb is reflexive, so it requires the use of reflexive pronouns such as 'me', 'te', etc., to indicate who is performing the action toward themselves. It's often used in the context of clothing, accessories, or parts of the body.