水着(みずぎ)

Etymology

水(みず) (water) + 着(ぎ) (clothing). A general term for swimwear of all types.

Types

• ビキニ: bikini
• ワンピース: one-piece swimsuit
• 競泳(きょうえい)水着(みずぎ): racing swimsuit
• 海(うみ)パン: swim trunks (casual; short for 海水(かいすい)パンツ, so the パン is pants, not bread)
• ラッシュガード: rash guard

Common expressions

• 水着(みずぎ)を着(き)る: to wear a swimsuit
• 水着(みずぎ)姿(すがた): appearance in swimwear
• 水着(みずぎ)に着替(きが)える: to change into a swimsuit

Usage

In Japan, most public pools require a 水泳(すいえい)キャップ (swim cap) in addition to a swimsuit. School swimsuits (学校(がっこう)水着(みずぎ) / スクール水着(みずぎ)) are typically standardized in design.