The Meaning of hadagi [肌着] In Japanese

肌着
はだぎ
Romaji: hadagi N5

What does 肌着 mean?

Translation and Meaning

undergarment, underwear, undershirt

Definition

肌着 means the layer of clothing worn directly on the skin, typically an undershirt or lightweight innerwear that forms the first barrier between the body and outer clothes.

Type

noun (名詞)

Stroke Order

Meanings

  • 肌着 (hadagi) — underwear and innerwear worn directly next to the skin
  • Primarily used as a warm or moisture-managing base layer in various fabrics and fits
  • In some contexts it denotes lightweight innerwear rather than the broader category of underwear; for the broader sense, 下着 is used

Composition

  • 肌 = skin or surface of the body
  • 着 = wear, clothing; together they denote something worn against the skin as the first layer

Usage

肌着 is used as daily innerwear under shirts or sweaters; in formal settings it serves as a discreet base layer under business attire; in summer, lightweight肌着 is common, while in winter thermal versions are popular; fashion and retail descriptions often present it as the base layer in layered outfits.
💡 Tips
Mnemonic: skin-first layer — remember hada-gi as the garment you put closest to your skin before any outerwear.

Variations

  • 下着 (shitagi) — underwear, a broader category worn under or outside clothes
  • 長肌着 (nagahadagi) — long undergarment, used for warmth or for infants
  • 半袖肌着 (hansode hadagi) — short-sleeve undershirt

Example Phrases

  • 今日は暑いので肌着を新しく買った。
    Kyou wa atsui node hada-gi o atarashiku katta.
    Today it’s hot, so I bought new underwear.
    Lista:
    • 今日は (kyou wa) – today
    • 暑いので (atsui node) – because it’s hot
    • 肌着を (hada-gi o) – undergarment
    • 新しく (atarashiku) – newly
    • 買った (katta) – bought
    In this sentence, 「肌着」 is the object of 買った; it means underwear/undergarment.
肌着