1.
shorts; short pants; half-length trousers
Trousers that end above the knee. Traditionally associated with children's clothing in Japan, though now worn by adults as well.
夏は半ズボンで過ごす。
I spend summer in shorts.
子供が半ズボンを履いて走り回っている。
The children are running around in shorts.
小学校の体操服は白いシャツと紺の半ズボンだった。
The elementary school PE uniform was a white shirt and navy shorts.
USAGE:
A compound of 半 (half) and ズボン (trousers, from French 'jupon'). In Japan, 半ズボン traditionally referred specifically to above-the-knee shorts worn by children. For adult casual shorts, ショートパンツ or ハーフパンツ are now more common.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 半ズボンを履く (to wear shorts)
- 半ズボン姿 (wearing shorts)
SIMILAR WORDS:
- ショートパンツ: shorts — the modern, adult-oriented term
- ハーフパンツ: half pants — knee-length or slightly above, common adult term