When it comes to fashion, the Germans certainly have a distinct style. From the clothes they wear to the words they use to describe them, everything about German fashion is just a little bit different. That’s a good thing – it means that shopping for clothes in Germany can be a fun and interesting experience!
In this article, we will take a look at some of the most important German words for clothing. We will explore different categories of clothing, as well as some unusual words that exist only in the German language. So whether you're planning on doing some shopping during your next trip to Germany, or simply want to learn more about this fascinating aspect of German culture, read on!
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The Basics
In order to dress fashionably in German, you'll need to know the right words. The following is a basic list of clothing vocabulary to help get you started. Of course, there are many more words you can learn, but this will give you a good foundation to work with.
So, ready to start? Let’s learn the basics:
Die Kleidung – Clothing
Native
Translation
die Hose
pants
der Rock
skirt
das Hemd
shirt
das T-Shirt
T-shirt
der Pullover, der Pulli
sweater
die Jacke
jacket
das Kleid
dress
der Anzug
suit
der Kostüm
women’s suit
die Jeans
jeans
Please note: some people use this German word in singular form, but it should always be used in plural.
Native
Translation
die Socken
socks
die Schuhe
shoes
German Clothing Vocabulary in Details
Of course, now that you’re able to say “I’m going to wear a shirt and pants,” it might be enough to answer some simple clothing questions. But is this really all the vocabulary you might need? Of course not. After all, if you are going to speak in German, you need to act like Germans and be more precise.
So now, let’s learn some more specific German vocabulary relating to clothes and make sure that you can name most of the clothing items in your wardrobe.
Die Oberteile – Tops
Native
Translation
das Trägerhemd, das Tanktop
tank top
der Kapuzenpulli
hoodie
der Blazer
blazer
die Bluse
blouse
das Sweatshirt
sweatshirt
Die Unterseiten – Bottoms
Native
Translation
die kurze Hose, die Shorts
shorts
die Bermudashorts
Bermuda shorts
die Leggings
leggings
die Lederhose
leather pants
die Skihose
ski pants
die Latzhose
dungarees
Die Oberbekleidung – Outwear
Native
Translation
die Jackett
jacket (lady's)
der Parka
parka, anorak
die Weste
waistcoat
der Blazer
blazer
der Mantel
coat
die Strickjacke
cardigan, knit jacket
die Kapuzenjacke
hooded jacket
der Regenmantel
raincoat
die Windjacke
wind jacket
Die Nachtwäsche – Sleepwear
Native
Translation
das Nachthemd
nightdress
der Pyjama(s), der Schlafanzug
pajamas
der Bademantel
bathrobe
die Hausschuhe/die Pantoletten
house slippers
Footwear
Native
Translation
die Turnschuhe
trainers
die Tennisschuhe
tennis shoes
die Sportschuhe
sport shoes, sneakers
die Stiefel
boots
die Absätze
heels
die Sandalen
sandals
Die Unterwäsche – Underwear
Native
Translation
der BH — Büstenhalter
bra
die Strumpfhose
pantyhose
das Höschen, der Slip(s)
panties
die Nachthemdchen
nighties
die Unterhosen
underpants
das Unterhemd
undershirt
die Boxershorts
the boxer shorts
die Damenunterwäsche
lingerie
Other Special Clothing
Native
Translation
die Badebekleidung
swimwear
die Badehose, Badeshorts
bathing trunks, swim shorts
der Badeanzug
swimsuit
das Bikini
bikini
der Strandkleid
beach dress, beach wear
die Schürze
apron
die Uniform
uniform
die Latzhose
overalls
der Trainingsanzug
track suit
das Abendkleid
evening dress
das Hochzeitskleid
wedding dress
Die Accessoires – Accessories
Native
Translation
der Rucksack
backpack
die Handtasche
purse
die Geldbörse
wallet
die Uhr
watch
der Schmuck
jewelry
die Halskette
necklace
das Armband, das Armkettchen
bracelet
der Ring
ring
die Ohrringe
earrings
die Strumpfhose
tights
die Krawatte
necktie
die Handschuhe
gloves
der Hut
hat
die Baseballkappe
baseball cap
der Schal
scarf
der Gürtel
belt
die Sonnenbrille
sunglasses
die Brille
glasses
Other Important German Clothing Vocab
Now that you know how to say that you’re wearing a hat (der hut) and a skirt (der rock), it’s time to learn more clothing words. After all, to create full sentences in the German language, you need to know how to describe the color of the clothing item, its materials, and what can be done with it.
So, here is the remaining necessary vocabulary for you. Now, if you want to describe something, words from this list should help you. Just make sure to choose the correct adjective endings according to the nouns’ gender – and you’re good to go.
Describing Clothes
Native
Translation
weich
soft
rau
rough
nass
wet
trocken
dry
sauber
clean
schmutzig
dirty
stinkend
smelly
bunt
long
kurz
short
gestreift
striped
langärmelig
long-sleeved
kurzärmelig
short-sleeved
Know Your Materials
Native
Translation
der Stoff
fabric
die Baumwolle
cotton
das Leder
leather
der Polyester
polyester
die Kunstfaser
synthetic fabric
der Jeansstoff
denim
das Elastan
spandex
die Wolle
wool
der Samt
velvet
die Seide
silk
der Tweed
tweed
das Nylon
nylon
German Clothing Verbs
Native
Translation
anziehen
to put on
tragen
to wear
ausziehen
to take off
waschen
to wash
trocknen
to dry
kaufen
to purchase
einkaufen
to shop
zurückgeben
to return
zerreißen
to rip
reparieren
to mend
falten
to fold
hängen
to hang
sich umziehen
to change
Let’s Go Shopping: German Clothing Phrases
And now for the fun part. Let’s learn the helpful clothing phrases in German that should help you go shopping and enjoy the process.
Native
Translation
Ich brauche...
I need…
Ich suche...
I’m looking for…
Ich habe Größe...
My size is…, I take a size...
Darf ich es anprobieren?
Can I try this on?
Es passt.
It fits.
Es passt nicht.
It doesn’t fit.
Es ist groß | Das ist zu groß
It’s big| This is too big
Es ist klein | Das ist zu klein
It’s small |This is too small
Was kostet…?
How much is…?
Now Put It All Together!
Ready to create a few sentences in German? Let’s try combining the phrases above with the clothing words we’ve learned today:
Native
Translation
Ich brauche einen schwarzen Pullover
I need a black sweater.
Was kostet diese Lederhose?
How much are these leather trousers?
Der richtige Tennisschuh passt nicht. Aber der linke schon.
The right tennis shoe doesn't fit. But the left one does.
Darf ich diese T-Shirts anprobieren? Ich habe die Größe 38.
Can I try these T-shirts on? My size is 38.
Ich suche ein Kleid. Haben Sie Hochzeitskleider aus Seide?
I'm looking for a dress. Do you have silk wedding dresses?
Final Thoughts on German Clothing Words
Now that you know the German words for different types of clothing, as well as some phrases to help you shop, you're ready to go out and buy yourself a new outfit for your German holiday!
Just don’t remember to practice. After all, memorizing some words can be simple, but you also need to remember each item’s gender, which can be tricky at first. Figuring what article each word has can also be tricky, especially looking at this fun trio: coat (der Mantel) and dress (das Kleid).
Two different words that don’t have any gender in English have different articles in German – so how do you remember the correct one?
We recommend learning German nouns together with articles, which will help you memorize them quickly, as well as practicing your German grammar regularly. Trust us: five minutes of learning German a day, and you'll be able to describe your wardrobe like a native speaker in no time.
