パンツ

ぱんつ
noun
underwear; pants
1. underwear; underpants
Undergarments worn on the lower body.
パンツを(あら)う。
I wash my underwear/pants.
(あたら)しいパンツを()った。
I bought new underwear/pants.
このパンツは()きやすい。
These pants are easy to wear.
2. pants; trousers
Outer garments covering the legs.
パンツを(あら)う。
I wash my underwear/pants.
(あたら)しいパンツを()った。
I bought new underwear/pants.
このパンツは()きやすい。
These pants are easy to wear.

パンツ is a loanword from English 'pants' with two distinct meanings in Japanese.

MEANING 1 - UNDERWEAR:

When used alone, パンツ most commonly means underpants/underwear in everyday speech.

  • パンツを()く: to put on underwear
  • パンツを(あら)う: to wash underwear
  • 下着(したぎ)のパンツ: underwear

MEANING 2 - TROUSERS/PANTS:

In fashion contexts, パンツ refers to outer garments (trousers).

  • ロングパンツ: long pants, trousers
  • ショートパンツ: shorts
  • (はん)パン: shorts (casual abbreviation)
  • スキニーパンツ: skinny pants
  • ジーンズ/ジーパン: jeans

DISTINGUISHING TERMS:

  • 下着(したぎ): underwear (general term)
  • ブリーフ: briefs
  • トランクス: boxer shorts
  • ズボン: trousers (older term, from French 'jupon')
  • スラックス: slacks, dress pants

USAGE NOTE:
Context usually makes the meaning clear. Fashion magazines and stores use パンツ for trousers, while in daily conversation it typically means underwear.