Key Facts
- Hangul: 바지; Revised Romanization: baji
- Part of speech: noun
- Origin: native Korean
- Register: Neutral everyday word; used for long pants and also for shorts when combined, as in 반바지.
Pants in Korean: What Does 바지 Mean?
바지 is the plain noun for pants or trousers. The register is neutral, so it suits a shop, a family chat and a written description alike. It is used for long pants, and it combines with other words for specific types, as in 반바지 for shorts.
How Do You Pronounce 바지?
Two syllables, ba-ji, both open. The first consonant is a plain b, not the sharper p.
Example Sentences with 바지
이 바지는 너무 커요.
i bajineun neomu keoyo.
These pants are too big.
A fit complaint. 이 means these, and 너무 means too.
저는 청바지를 자주 입어요.
jeoneun cheongbajireul jaju ibeoyo.
I often wear jeans.
A habit sentence about jeans, where 자주 gives frequency and 를 marks the object.
바지가 짧아서 새로 샀어요.
bajiga jjalbaseo saero sasseoyo.
The pants were short, so I bought new ones.
A buying story with two clauses, joined by 아서 to give a reason.
Common Phrases and Collocations
The core phrases are 바지를 입다 (to wear pants), 청바지 (jeans), 반바지 (shorts) and 바지를 벗다 (to take off pants).
| Korean | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 바지를 입다 | to wear pants |
| 청바지 | jeans |
| 반바지 | shorts |
| 바지를 벗다 | to take off pants |
The Mistake to Avoid
Mistake: 바지를 신다, because your legs go in the way your feet go into shoes. Correct: 바지를 입다; 신다 is only for socks and shoes. The split follows what is worn on the feet versus the body, not how many holes a garment has, so 바지를 입다 is the pattern to memorise as one unit.
바지 Compared with 치마 and 청바지
The garment contrast is simple.
| Word | Meaning | How it differs |
|---|---|---|
| 바지 | pants, trousers | This page's word |
| 치마 | skirt | Women's or girls' skirt, not pants. |
| 청바지 | jeans | A specific type of 바지 made of denim. |
Where Does the Word Come From?
바지 is a native Korean word, so it has no hanja.
Trying on Pants in a Clothing Shop
A customer has chosen a style and wants to try it on. The assistant asks about size before bringing a pair.
Customer
이 바지 입어 봐도 돼요?
I baji ibeo bwado dwaeyo?
May I try on these pants?
Assistant
네. 어떤 사이즈 입으세요?
Ne. Eotteon saijeu ibeuseyo?
Yes. What size do you wear?
Customer
미디엄 입어요.
Midieom ibeoyo.
I wear medium.
입어 보다 means to try wearing something, so the first line asks about trying the garment on. 입으세요 in the assistant's question is respectful language about the customer. The customer answers with ordinary 입어요 about themself. 바지 can refer to one pair; English “pants” does not require a Korean plural ending.
How Do You Count a Pair of Pants?
바지 한 벌 means one pair of pants. 벌 counts clothing, so the two trouser legs are treated as one garment. 바지 두 벌 means two pairs. You do not need 들 just because the English word “pants” looks plural. The same unmarked 바지 can name one pair or pants in general, depending on context.
This also explains 이 바지는 너무 커요. 이 points to the garment being tried on, while 는 makes that pair the topic. The Korean sentence does not have to choose between singular “this” and plural “these” in the way its English translation does. The fitting-room situation supplies the number.
Which Fit Phrases Are Useful?
바지가 길어요 means the pants are long, and 바지가 짧아요 means they are short. These describe length. 바지가 커요 and 바지가 작아요 describe overall size. If the waist fits but the legs are too long, a size word alone may not explain the problem clearly enough.
바지 길이를 줄이다 means to shorten the length of pants, useful when asking about alterations. 바지를 줄이다 is a shorter phrase for taking pants in or shortening them; the exact alteration depends on the conversation. Mention 길이, “length,” or 허리, “waist,” when you need to specify which part needs changing.
바지가 잘 맞아요 means the pants fit well. This concerns fit, while 바지가 잘 어울려요 means the pants suit someone. A garment can be the right size without suiting the person's style, so the two compliments answer different questions. In a shop, listen for whether the comment is about size or appearance.
What Do Clothing Labels Call Different Kinds of 바지?
청바지 means jeans, 반바지 means shorts, and 긴바지 means long pants. These are clothing names, rather than instructions about how to wear them. 운동복 바지 refers to the pants from sportswear. The shared 바지 tells you the category, while the first part narrows the type.
Online shops may group trousers under 하의, “bottoms.” That category also includes skirts, so it is broader than 바지. A shop's 사이즈 label gives size information, but the label alone does not tell you whether the waistband or leg length will fit you. Those are the details to ask about when trying a pair on.
Words for Describing the Garment
| Korean | Meaning | Why you need it |
|---|---|---|
| 허리 | waist | Identify where pants are too tight or loose. |
| 길이 | length | Ask about the legs or an alteration. |
| 주머니 | Name the part that holds small items. | |
| 지퍼 | zipper | Identify the fastening on many pants. |
The clothing vocabulary lesson connects 바지 with other garments and wearing verbs. Use the garment name with 입다 first, then add the specific fit problem if you need help from a shop assistant.
Quick Self-Test
- Which verb belongs with 바지: 입다 or 신다?
- Does 바지 한 벌 mean one pair or one trouser leg?
- Which word specifies the waist when asking about fit?
Show answers
- 입다.
- One pair, treated as one garment.
- 허리.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you say pants in Korean?
Say 바지 (baji).
Which verb goes with pants?
Use 입다, as in 바지를 입다.
How do I say jeans?
Say 청바지.
How do I say shorts?
Say 반바지.
Related Words and What to Learn Next
- Theme list: daily life clothing vocabulary groups 바지 with its neighbours.
- Index: Korean words A to Z.
- Practice: add it to the vocabulary flashcard decks.
- Clothing neighbours: shirt and 치마.