Learning Chinese swimwear vocabulary can come in handy for shopping, travel, or just chatting. Lots of people wonder about the right translation when visiting Chinese-speaking places or talking with Chinese speakers about beachwear.
The word for how to say bikini in Chinese is 比基尼泳装 (bǐ jī ní yǒng zhuāng). This phrase combines the phonetic translation of “bikini” with the Chinese word for swimsuit.
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People across Chinese-speaking regions understand this term, and you’ll find it in dictionaries as the standard translation for bikini. The word has two parts that work together to express the full meaning.
Understanding how Chinese borrows clothing terms can help you spot patterns in the language. If you’re planning a beach trip or looking for swimwear in a Chinese-speaking area, knowing this word is definitely practical.
Key Takeaways
- The full Chinese term 比基尼泳装 combines a borrowed pronunciation with the native word for swimsuit.
- People use the shorter form 比基尼 in casual conversation, while the longer version pops up in formal settings.
- Learning swimwear words is helpful for real-life situations like shopping or traveling in Chinese-speaking places.
The Chinese Word for Bikini
The Chinese translation for bikini is 比基尼泳装. This phrase combines the borrowed sound of “bikini” with the Chinese word for swimwear.
Meaning and Literal Translation
The Chinese word 比基尼泳装 breaks into two parts. The first part, 比基尼 (bǐjīní), is just a phonetic take on “bikini.”
The second part, 泳装 (yǒngzhuāng), means “swimwear” in Chinese. 泳 points to swimming, and 装 means clothing or outfit.
So, the whole term literally means “bikini swimwear.” This way of combining a loanword with a native description is pretty common in Chinese.
The Cambridge Dictionary sometimes lists 三点式泳装 as an alternative. That one translates to “three-point swimsuit,” describing the bikini’s design.
Pronunciation Guide and Pinyin
The pinyin for 比基尼泳装 is bǐjīní yǒngzhuāng. Each character gets its own tone, and those tones really matter.
比 (bǐ) – third tone, falling then rising
基 (jī) – first tone, steady and high
尼 (ní) – second tone, rising
泳 (yǒng) – third tone, falling then rising
装 (zhuāng) – first tone, high and level
The first three characters sound a lot like “bikini.” Chinese speakers tweaked the foreign word to fit Mandarin sounds.
You’ve got to use the right tones, or people might not get what you mean. Messing up tones can change the meaning or just confuse things.
Writing Bikini in Chinese Characters
The Chinese characters for bikini are 比基尼泳装. Each part does a specific job in the phrase.
| Character | Pinyin | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 比 | bǐ | Compare (phonetic use) |
| 基 | jī | Foundation (phonetic use) |
| 尼 | ní | Nun (phonetic use) |
| 泳 | yǒng | Swimming |
| 装 | zhuāng | Clothing/outfit |
The first three characters are there for their sound, not their meaning. They were picked because they sound like “bikini.”
In simplified Chinese, these characters stay as they are. Traditional Chinese uses the same characters for this word.
Sometimes people just use 比基尼 if it’s obvious they’re talking about swimwear.
Related Swimwear Terms and Usage in Chinese
Chinese has a handful of ways to talk about swimwear, and people’s word choices depend on region and formality. You’ll see both borrowed English and traditional Chinese terms for different swim styles.
Alternative Terms for Swimsuit
The most common word for swimsuit in Chinese is 游泳衣 (yóu yǒng yī), which literally means “swimming clothes.” But in daily chats, most folks just say 泳衣 (yǒng yī).
This shorter version works for any kind of swimwear, whether it’s for men or women. If you want to be specific, you can tack on a prefix.
女泳衣 (nǚ yǒngyī) means women’s swimsuit. 男泳衣 (nán yǒngyī) means men’s swimwear.
The word 泳装 (yǒng zhuāng) is another formal option. You’ll spot it in written Chinese and on retail signs.
Key swimwear vocabulary:
- 泳衣 (yǒng yī) – swimsuit (general)
- 女泳衣 (nǚ yǒngyī) – women’s swimsuit
- 男泳衣 (nán yǒngyī) – men’s swimsuit
- 泳装 (yǒng zhuāng) – swimwear (formal)
Common Phrases Involving Bikinis
When people talk about bikinis, they use 比基尼泳装 (bǐ jī ní yǒng zhuāng) for the full, formal term. It pairs the borrowed word with the swimwear descriptor.
The shorter 比基尼 (bǐ jī ní) is totally fine in casual talk. Everyone gets what you mean.
Color words go right before the garment. 蓝色比基尼 (lán sè bǐ jī ní) means “blue bikini.”
Some handy shopping phrases:
- 我想买比基尼 (wǒ xiǎng mǎi bǐ jī ní) – “I want to buy a bikini”
- 这个比基尼多少钱？(zhè gè bǐ jī ní duō shǎo qián?) – “How much is this bikini?”
Regional Variations in Vocabulary
Mainland China, Taiwan, and other Chinese-speaking regions don’t really differ much in their swimwear terms. 比基尼 and 泳衣 are pretty much standard everywhere.
In Taiwan and Hong Kong, you’ll see traditional Chinese characters, but the way people say the words doesn’t change. Written forms might look different, but the spoken terms match what you’d hear on the mainland.
Some coastal places might have their own slang, but those don’t replace the usual words. Beach towns sometimes invent nicknames, but stores and the media stick with the standard terms.
Department stores and online shops everywhere use 比基尼泳装 as the product category. That keeps things consistent no matter where you are.
Frequently Asked Questions
People often ask about the Chinese word for bikini, especially the characters and pronunciation. There are a few small regional differences, but nothing major.
Additional ways for how to say bikini in Chinese sentences
- Chinese: 她在沙滩上穿着一件红色的比基尼，十分引人注目。
Pinyin: Tā zài shātān shàng chuānzhe yī jiàn hóngsè de bǐjīní, shífēn yǐnrénzhùmù.
English: She wore a red bikini on the beach, which was very eye-catching. - Chinese: 今年夏天，高腰比基尼又重新流行起来。
Pinyin: Jīnnián xiàtiān, gāo yāo bǐjīní yòu chóngxīn liúxíng qǐlái.
English: This summer, high-waisted bikinis have come back into fashion. - Chinese: 他第一次穿比基尼泳裤，还有点害羞。
Pinyin: Tā dì yī cì chuān bǐjīní yǒngkù, hái yǒudiǎn hàixiū.
English: It was his first time wearing bikini briefs, and he felt a bit shy. - Chinese: 商店里挂满了各种花色的比基尼，让人眼花缭乱。
Pinyin: Shāngdiàn lǐ guà mǎn le gè zhǒng huāsè de bǐjīní, ràng rén yǎnhuāliáoluàn.
English: The store is lined with bikinis of every pattern, dazzling the eyes. - Chinese: 比基尼的名字来源于太平洋比基尼环礁的核试验。
Pinyin: Bǐjīní de míngzì láiyuán yú Tàipíngyáng Bǐjīní huánjiāo de hé shìyàn.
English: The name “bikini” comes from the nuclear tests at Bikini Atoll in the Pacific.
