{"id":93941,"date":"2023-06-07T11:35:04","date_gmt":"2023-06-07T15:35:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/learn\/german-clothing-vocabulary\/"},"modified":"2025-02-04T00:01:11","modified_gmt":"2025-02-04T05:01:11","slug":"german-clothing-vocabulary","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/german\/german-clothing-vocabulary\/","title":{"rendered":"Clothing in German: 90+ Vocabulary Terms"},"content":{"rendered":"

Clothing is a huge part of our everyday routine, and therefore it’s an essential topic for any German learner.<\/p>\n

Die Kleidung <\/em>is one of the most common ways to say “clothing” in German, but under that umbrella there are a huge number of different terms you can use to describe aspects of people’s outfits.<\/p>\n

If you know the German clothing vocabulary terms in this post\u2014including essential clothing items, descriptors and clothing-related verbs\u2014you’ll be prepared for conversations with even the most fashion-forward German speakers.<\/p>\n

[fluentu-toc]<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

The Basics<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
German<\/th>English<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
die Unterw\u00e4sche <\/a>\n <\/td>underwear<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
der BH <\/a>\n
\n der B\u00fcstenhalter <\/a>\n <\/td>		bra<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
die Socke <\/a>\n <\/td>sock<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
die Strumpfhose <\/a>\n <\/td>pantyhose<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
die kurze Hose <\/a>\n
\n die Shorts <\/a>\n <\/td>		shorts<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
das Tr\u00e4gerhemd <\/a>\n
\n das Tanktop <\/a>\n <\/td>		tank top<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
das Hemd <\/a>\n <\/td>shirt<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
das T-Shirt <\/a>\n <\/td>t-shirt<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
die Bluse <\/a>\n <\/td>blouse<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
die \u00c4rmel <\/a>\n <\/td>sleeves<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
die Hose <\/a>\n <\/td>pants<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
die Jeans <\/a>\n <\/td>jeans<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
der Rock <\/a>\n <\/td>skirt<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
die Leggings <\/a>\n <\/td>leggings<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
das Kleid <\/a>\n <\/td>dress<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
der Anzug <\/a>\n <\/td>suit<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
die Krawatte <\/a>\n <\/td>tie<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
die Jacke <\/a>\n <\/td>jacket<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
der Kapuzenpulli <\/a>\n
\n der Hoodie <\/a>\n <\/td>		hoodie<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
der Pulli <\/a>\n
\n der Pullover <\/a>\n <\/td>		sweater<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
der Blazer <\/a>\n
\n der Sakko <\/a>\n <\/td>		blazer<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
der Mantel <\/a>\n <\/td>coat<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
der Schal <\/a>\n
\n das Halstuch <\/a>\n <\/td>		scarf<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
der Hut <\/a>\n <\/td>hat<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
der Handschuh <\/a>\n <\/td>glove<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
der Schuh <\/a>\n <\/td>shoe<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
der Tenisschuh <\/a>\n <\/td>tennis shoe<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
der Stiefel <\/a>\n <\/td>boot<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
die Abs\u00e4tze <\/a>\n <\/td>heels<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
die Sandalen <\/a>\n <\/td>sandals<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

Accessories<\/h2>\n

Here are some of your basic, most necessary accessories in German. What\u2019s your favorite accessory? Look it up in the dictionary<\/a> and add it to your list!<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
German<\/th>English<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
die Uhr <\/a>\n <\/td>watch<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
die Halskette <\/a>\n <\/td>necklace<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
das Armband <\/a>\n
\n das Armkettchen <\/a>\n
\n die Armkette <\/a>\n <\/td>		bracelet<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
der Ring <\/a>\n <\/td>ring<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
die Ohrringe <\/a>\n <\/td>earrings<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

Regional Clothing Terms<\/h2>\n

Cultures differ across the globe, and so does clothing! Below are a few types of regional clothing items.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
German<\/th>English<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
der Kilt <\/a>\n
\n der Schottenrock <\/a>\n <\/td>		kilt<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
der Hidschab <\/a>\n
\n Hijab <\/a>\n <\/td>		hijab<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
die Lederhose <\/a>\n <\/td>leather trousers (Bavarian)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
das Dirndl <\/a>\n <\/td>dress (Bavarian)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
der Sari <\/a>\n <\/td>sari<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
der Kimono <\/a>\n <\/td>kimono<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

Describing Clothing<\/h2>\n

It\u2019s crucial to know what you\u2019re wearing, but it\u2019s just as important to know how to describe it. Here are some adjectives to help you describe the clothing around you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
German<\/th>English<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
rot <\/a>\n <\/td>red<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
gr\u00fcn <\/a>\n <\/td>green<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
blau <\/a>\n <\/td>blue<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
gelb <\/a>\n <\/td>yellow<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
orange <\/a>\n <\/td>orange<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
rosa <\/a>\n <\/td>pink<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
wei\u03b2 <\/a>\n <\/td>white<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
schwarz <\/a>\n <\/td>black<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
lila <\/a>\n <\/td>purple<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
grau <\/a>\n <\/td>gray<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
braun <\/a>\n <\/td>brown<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
weich <\/a>\n <\/td>soft<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
rau <\/a>\n <\/td>rough<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
nass <\/a>\n <\/td>wet<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
trocken <\/a>\n <\/td>dry<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
sauber <\/a>\n <\/td>clean<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
schmutzig <\/a>\n <\/td>dirty<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
stinkend <\/a>\n <\/td>smelly<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
bunt <\/a>\n <\/td>colorful<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
langweilig <\/a>\n <\/td>dull<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
lang <\/a>\n <\/td>long<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
kurz <\/a>\n <\/td>short<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
kariert <\/a>\n <\/td>checkered<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
gestreift <\/a>\n <\/td>striped<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
die\u00a0Baumwolle <\/a>\n <\/td>cotton<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
der\u00a0Polyester <\/a>\n <\/td>polyester<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
der\u00a0Jeansstoff <\/a>\n <\/td>denim<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
das\u00a0Elastan <\/a>\n <\/td>spandex<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
die\u00a0Wolle <\/a>\n <\/td>wool<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

Clothing Verbs<\/h2>\n

Now it\u2019s time to learn how to describe what you\u2019re doing with your clothes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
German<\/th>English<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
anziehen <\/a>\n <\/td>to put on<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
tragen <\/a>\n <\/td>to wear<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
ausziehen <\/a>\n <\/td>to take off<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
waschen <\/a>\n <\/td>to wash<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
trocknen <\/a>\n <\/td>to dry<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
kaufen <\/a>\n <\/td>to purchase<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
einkaufen <\/a>\n <\/td>to shop<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
zur\u00fcckgeben <\/a>\n <\/td>to return<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
zerrei\u00dfen <\/a>\n <\/td>to rip<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
reparieren <\/a>\n <\/td>to mend<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
falten <\/a>\n <\/td>to fold<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
einpacken <\/a>\n <\/td>to pack<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
tragen <\/a>\n <\/td>to carry<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
geben <\/a>\n <\/td>to give<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
h\u00e4ngen <\/a>\n <\/td>to hang<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
m\u00f6gen <\/a>\n <\/td>to like<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
gefallen <\/a>\n <\/td>to appeal<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
nicht m\u00f6gen <\/a>\n <\/td>to dislike<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
wollen <\/a>\n <\/td>to want<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
sich umziehen <\/a>\n <\/td>to change<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
wegstellen <\/a>\n <\/td>to put away<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
aufr\u00e4umen <\/a>\n <\/td>to tidy up<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

Putting It All Together: Example Sentences<\/h2>\n

Let\u2019s look at a few examples to put it all together.<\/p>\n

German:\u00a0<\/strong>Ich will mein gr<\/em>\u00fc<\/em>nes Hemd tragen<\/em><\/p>\n

English: I want to wear my green shirt<\/p>\n

Ich will <\/em>\u2014 I want<\/p>\n

das Hemd<\/em> \u2014 the shirt<\/p>\n

gr\u00fcn<\/em> \u2014 green<\/p>\n

mein gr<\/em>\u00fcnes<\/em> Hemd<\/em> \u2014 my green shirt<\/p>\n

tragen \u2014 <\/em>to wear<\/p>\n

To talk about different items or descriptive terms, you simply have to choose your noun,<\/strong> and then use the corresponding adjective<\/strong> (rot<\/em> or weich<\/em>) and add the proper adjective ending<\/strong>:<\/a><\/p>\n

Ich will mein rotes Hemd tragen <\/em>(I want to wear my red shirt)
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

Ich will mein weiches Hemd tragen <\/em>(I want to wear my soft shirt)
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

Ich will meinen schwarzen Pulli tragen<\/em>\u00a0(I want to wear my black sweater.)<\/p>\n

Ich will meine kurze Jeans tragen <\/em>(I want to wear my short jeans.)<\/p>\n

Let’s look at another example of this:<\/p>\n

German:\u00a0<\/strong>Sie kauft ihrer Mutter ein neues blaues Kleid<\/em><\/p>\n

English: She buys her mother a new blue dress<\/p>\n

kaufen \u2014<\/em> to buy<\/p>\n

sie kauft \u2014 <\/em>she buys<\/p>\n

ihrer Mutter <\/em>\u2014 her mother<\/p>\n

ein neues blaues Kleid \u2014 <\/em>a new blue dress<\/p>\n

Again, if we wanted to change anything about the sentence, we could change the verb<\/strong>, to say:<\/p>\n

Sie gibt ihrer Mutter ein neues blaues Kleid<\/em>\u00a0(She gives her mother a new blue dress)<\/p>\n

Or, we could say it’s a soft white dress:<\/p>\n

Sie kauft ihrer Mutter ein weiches wei<\/em>\u03b2es Kleid<\/em>\u00a0(She buys her mother a soft white dress)<\/p>\n

If you want to see how these different words relating to clothing operate in practice, you could try using a language learning program such as FluentU.<\/p>\n

FluentU<\/strong> takes authentic videos\u2014like music videos, movie trailers, news and inspiring talks\u2014and turns them into personalized language learning lessons.<\/p>\r\n

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You can try FluentU for free for 2 weeks. Check out the website or download the iOS app<\/a> or Android app.<\/a><\/p>\r\n

P.S. Click here to take advantage of our current sale! (Expires at the end of this month.)<\/a><\/i>\r\n<\/p>\r\n

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