# Clothes in Esperanto – clothing words and shop phrases

Source: https://esperantopedia.org/phrases/clothes/
Language: en
Updated: 2026-10-11

> Shirt is ĉemizo, trousers pantalono, shoe ŝuo: Esperanto clothing words with pronunciation, porti vs surmeti, false friends and phrases for shopping.

Clothes in Esperanto are ***vestoj***, from ***vesto*** "clothing, a garment", and one piece of clothing is a ***vestaĵo***. You wear clothes with ***porti*** or ***surhavi***, put them on with ***surmeti*** and dress someone with ***vesti***. Pronunciation guides split words into syllables, with the stressed syllable in capitals.

## Everyday clothes

| English | Esperanto | Pronunciation | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| clothes, clothing | *vestoj*, *vesto* | VES-toj, VES-to | *vesto* is also one garment |
| shirt | *ĉemizo* | ĉe-MI-zo | Worn over or under other clothes |
| blouse | *bluzo* | BLU-zo | |
| sweater | *pulovero*, *svetero* | pu-lo-VE-ro, sve-TE-ro | *trikjako* is a cardigan |
| jacket | *jako* | JA-ko | Opens at the front; *jaketo* is short |
| coat | *mantelo*, *palto* | man-TE-lo, PAL-to | *palto* is an overcoat; *pluvmantelo* a raincoat |
| waistcoat | *veŝto* | VEŜ-to | Sleeveless, usually under a jacket |
| trousers, pants | *pantalono* | pan-ta-LO-no | One garment, so singular |
| jeans | *ĝinzo* | ĜIN-zo | ReVo also spells it *ĵinzo* |
| shorts | *pantaloneto*, *ŝorto* | pan-ta-lo-NE-to, ŜOR-to | |
| skirt | *jupo* | JU-po | |
| dress | *robo* | RO-bo | See the false friends below |
| suit | *kostumo*, *vestokompleto* | kos-TU-mo, ves-to-kom-PLE-to | |

## Underwear, nightwear and swimwear

| English | Esperanto | Pronunciation | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| underwear | *subvesto* | sub-VES-to | Worn under visible clothes |
| underpants | *kalsono* | kal-SO-no | |
| bra | *mamzono* | mam-ZO-no | *mamo* "breast" + *zono* |
| pajamas | *piĵamo* | pi-ĴA-mo | *ĵ* sounds like *s* in "measure" |
| swimsuit | *bankostumo* | ban-kos-TU-mo | *bani* "to bathe" |

## Shoes, hats and accessories

| English | Esperanto | Pronunciation | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| shoe | *ŝuo* | ŜU-o | One shoe; a pair is *paro da ŝuoj* |
| boot | *boto* | BO-to | ReVo: a high shoe up to the knee |
| sandal | *sandalo* | san-DA-lo | |
| sock | *ŝtrumpeto* | ŝtrum-PE-to | Short; also *duonŝtrumpo* |
| stocking | *ŝtrumpo* | ŜTRUM-po | ReVo: knitted, about knee-high |
| hat | *ĉapelo* | ĉa-PE-lo | Has a brim |
| cap | *ĉapo* | ĈA-po | No brim; *kaskedo* has a visor |
| tie | *kravato* | kra-VA-to | |
| belt | *zono* | ZO-no | A strip around the waist |
| glove | *ganto* | GAN-to | One glove; a pair is *paro da gantoj* |
| scarf, shawl | *ŝalo* | ŜA-lo | Worn on the shoulders |

## Parts and materials

| English | Esperanto | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| button | *butono* | bu-TO-no |
| pocket | *poŝo* | PO-ŝo |
| sleeve | *maniko* | ma-NI-ko |
| collar | *kolumo* | ko-LU-mo |
| zip | *zipo* | ZI-po |
| fabric | *ŝtofo* | ŜTO-fo |
| wool | *lano* | LA-no |
| cotton | *kotono* | ko-TO-no |
| silk | *silko* | SIL-ko |
| leather | *ledo* | LE-do |

A material becomes an adjective with *-a*: *lana ŝalo* "a woollen shawl", *kotona ĉemizo* "a cotton shirt", *leda jako* "a leather jacket". Most words here come from the 1905 Fundamento. *Robo*, *palto*, *bluzo*, *sandalo*, *piĵamo*, *zipo* and *kaskedo* are later Official Additions, while *pulovero*, *svetero*, *ŝorto* and *ĝinzo* are in ReVo but not marked official.

## False friends for English speakers

| English word | Esperanto | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| vest | *vesto* | Clothing or a garment. A waistcoat (US "vest") is *veŝto* |
| robe | *robo* | ReVo: a long robe, and a one-piece dress, mostly women's. A dressing gown is *ĉambra robo* |
| suit | *kostumo* | ReVo: dress typical of a nation, class, period or job, so closer to "costume". A matching set is *vestokompleto* |
| pants | *pantalono* | Trousers. British "pants" are *kalsono* |

## Verbs for clothes

| English | Esperanto | Pronunciation | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| to dress (someone) | *vesti* | VES-ti | Needs an object |
| to get dressed | *vestiĝi*, *vesti sin* | ves-TI-ĝi | |
| to get undressed | *senvestiĝi* | sen-ves-TI-ĝi | |
| to put on | *surmeti* | sur-ME-ti | The act of putting on |
| to take off | *demeti* | de-ME-ti | The opposite of *surmeti* |
| to wear | *porti*, *surhavi* | POR-ti, sur-HA-vi | A state |
| to try on | *surprovi*, *provi* | sur-PRO-vi, PRO-vi | |
| to button, unbutton | *butonumi*, *malbutonumi* | bu-to-NU-mi, mal-bu-to-NU-mi | *butoni* is a shorter variant |

### Porti, surhavi or surmeti?

*Surmeti* is the moment of putting something on. *Porti* and *surhavi* describe wearing it. *Porti* also means "carry", so *Li portas la mantelon* can mean he wears the coat or carries it; *surhavi* ("have on oneself" in ReVo) can only mean wearing.

| Verb | Example | English |
|---|---|---|
| *surmeti* | *Mi surmetas la mantelon.* | I put the coat on. |
| *porti* | *Ŝi ofte portas verdan ĉapelon.* | She often wears a green hat. |
| *surhavi* | *Li surhavas novan jakon.* | He has a new jacket on. |
| *demeti* | *Mi demetas la ŝuojn ĉe la pordo.* | I take my shoes off at the door. |

*Vesti* needs an object, like English "dress": *Ŝi vestas la infanon.* "She dresses the child." For yourself use *vestiĝi* or *vesti sin*: *La infano vestiĝas mem.* "The child gets dressed alone." The difference is explained in [-ig- and -iĝ-](https://esperantopedia.org/grammar/transitivity/), and *sin* in [pronouns](https://esperantopedia.org/grammar/pronouns/).

## Building clothing words

The main word comes last: *kap·vest·o* is "head-garment". More in [word building](https://esperantopedia.org/grammar/word-building/), [prefixes](https://esperantopedia.org/grammar/prefixes/) and [suffixes](https://esperantopedia.org/grammar/suffixes/).

| Pattern | Examples | English |
|---|---|---|
| *X·vesto* | *kapvesto*, *piedvesto*, *noktovesto*, *survesto* | headgear, footwear, nightwear, outer clothing |
| *-aĵ-* | *vestaĵo*, *trikaĵo* | a piece of clothing, knitwear |
| *-ar-* | *vestaro* | a whole set of clothes |
| *-ej-* | *vestejo*, *vestvendejo*, *kudrejo* | cloakroom, clothes shop, sewing workshop |
| *ŝranko* | *vestoŝranko* | wardrobe (the cupboard) |
| *-ist-* | *kudristo*, *botisto*, *gantisto* | tailor, bootmaker, glovemaker |
| *-uj-* | *monujo* | wallet, "money container" |
| *mal-* | *malvesti*, *malbutonumi*, *mallonga* | undress, unbutton, short |

PMEG's example for *-aĵ-* is *tolo* → *tolaĵo* "something made of linen"; for *-ej-* it gives *ĉapelejo* "a hat shop or a place where hats are kept".

## Sizes and colours

| English | Esperanto | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| big | *granda* | GRAN-da |
| small | *malgranda* | mal-GRAN-da |
| long | *longa* | LON-ga |
| short | *mallonga* | mal-LON-ga |
| wide | *larĝa* | LAR-ĝa |
| narrow | *mallarĝa* | mal-LAR-ĝa |
| new | *nova* | NO-va |
| old | *malnova* | mal-NO-va |

Adjectives agree with the noun: *Ĉi tiuj ŝuoj estas tro malgrandaj.* "These shoes are too small." For "longer" use *pli*: *Mi serĉas pli longan jupon.* "I am looking for a longer skirt." See [comparison](https://esperantopedia.org/grammar/comparison/) and the [accusative](https://esperantopedia.org/grammar/accusative/). Colours are adjectives too: *ruĝa jupo*, *helblua ĉemizo*. The [colours page](https://esperantopedia.org/phrases/colors/) lists them with shades.

## Phrases for buying clothes

### Looking and trying on

| Esperanto | English |
|---|---|
| *Mi serĉas nigran jakon.* | I am looking for a black jacket. |
| *Ĉu mi povas provi ĝin?* | May I try it on? |
| *Kie estas la provbudo?* | Where is the fitting room? |
| *Ĉu vi havas ĝin en alia koloro?* | Do you have it in another colour? |
| *Ĉu vi havas ĝin en pli granda mezuro?* | Do you have it in a larger size? |

ReVo defines *provbudo* as the booth in a clothes shop for trying clothes on. *Surprovi* is the exact verb, but plain *provi* is common too.

### Size and fit

| Esperanto | English |
|---|---|
| *Kiu estas via mezuro?* | What is your size? |
| *Ĝi estas tro granda.* | It is too big. |
| *Ili estas tro mallongaj.* | They are too short. |
| *Tiu jako bone sidas al vi.* | That jacket looks good on you. |

Here *sidi* means to suit in appearance (ReVo). *Mezuro*, literally "measurement", is used for clothing size.

### Price and paying

| Esperanto | English |
|---|---|
| *Kiom ĝi kostas?* | How much does it cost? |
| *Ĝi estas tro multekosta.* | It is too expensive. |
| *Ĉu vi povas doni rabaton?* | Can you give a discount? |
| *Mi prenos ĝin.* | I will take it. |
| *Ĉu mi povas pagi per karto?* | Can I pay by card? |
| *Ĉu mi povas interŝanĝi ĝin?* | Can I exchange it? |

A shop is a *butiko* or *vendejo*, a shopkeeper a *butikisto*. A clothes shop is a *vestvendejo* (ReVo's word) or *vestobutiko*. For several things use *ilin*: *Mi prenos ilin.*

## What are you wearing?

| Esperanto | English |
|---|---|
| *Hodiaŭ mi portas bluan ĉemizon kaj grizan pantalonon.* | Today I am wearing a blue shirt and grey trousers. |
| *Kion vi surmetos hodiaŭ?* | What will you put on today? |
| *Ekstere estas malvarme, surmetu vian mantelon!* | It is cold outside, put your coat on! |

What to wear in each season is on the [weather and seasons](https://esperantopedia.org/phrases/weather-seasons/) page.

## Common questions

### How do you say "clothes" in Esperanto?

*Vestoj*. One piece is a *vestaĵo*. "To wear" is *porti* or *surhavi*: *Mi portas ruĝan robon.* "I am wearing a red dress."

### How do you say "dress" in Esperanto?

The garment is *robo*: *Ŝi surhavas ruĝan robon.* The verb "to dress" is *vesti*.

### What is the difference between porti and surmeti?

*Surmeti* means to put clothes on, *porti* and *surhavi* mean to wear them. *Demeti* takes them off.

### How do you ask "Can I try this on?" in Esperanto?

*Ĉu mi povas provi ĝin?* or, more exactly, *Ĉu mi povas surprovi ĝin?*

### Is pantalono singular or plural?

Singular. A pair of trousers is one garment, *unu pantalono*, and two pairs are *du pantalonoj*. The same holds for *kalsono*, *ŝorto* and *ĝinzo*. Shoes, gloves and stockings work the other way: *ŝuo*, *ganto* and *ŝtrumpo* are one item each, so a pair is *paro da ŝuoj*.

## Sources

- [ReVo: vesto, vesti, vestaĵo, vestaro, vestejo, subvesto, kapvesto, piedvesto, noktovesto, laborvesto, senvestiĝi](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/vest.html)
- [ReVo: ĉemizo](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/cxemiz.html), [pantalono](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/pantal.html), [jupo](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/jup.html), [robo](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/rob.html), [jako](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/jak.html), [mantelo](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/mantel.html), [palto](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/palt.html), [bluzo](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/bluz.html), [pulovero](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/pulover.html), [svetero](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/sveter.html), [veŝto](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/vesxt.html), [ĝinzo](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/gxinz.html), [ŝorto](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/sxort.html), [kostumo, bankostumo](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/kostum.html), [kalsono, mamzono](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/kalson.html)
- [ReVo: ŝuo](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/sxu.html), [boto](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/bot.html), [sandalo](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/sandal.html), [ŝtrumpo, ŝtrumpeto](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/sxtrum.html), [ĉapelo](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/cxapel.html), [ĉapo](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/cxap.html), [kaskedo](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/kasked.html), [kravato](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/kravat.html), [zono](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/zon.html), [ganto](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/gant.html), [ŝalo](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/sxal.html), [monujo](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/mon.html)
- [ReVo: butono, butonumi](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/buton.html), [poŝo](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/posx.html), [maniko](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/manik.html), [zipo](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/zip.html), [ŝtofo](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/sxtof.html), [lano](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/lan.html), [kotono](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/koton.html), [silko](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/silk.html), [ledo](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/led.html), [trikaĵo](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/trik.html), [kudri, kudristo, kudrejo](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/kudr.html)
- [ReVo: meti (surmeti, demeti)](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/met.html), [porti](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/port.html), [havi (surhavi)](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/hav.html), [provi, surprovi](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/prov.html), [provbudo](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/bud.html), [sidi](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/sid.html), [vestoŝranko](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/sxrank.html), [rabato](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/rabat.html), [butiko](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/butik.html)
- [PMEG: AĴ](https://bertilow.com/pmeg/vortfarado/afiksoj/sufiksoj/ajh.html), [EJ](https://bertilow.com/pmeg/vortfarado/afiksoj/sufiksoj/ej.html), [IĜ](https://bertilow.com/pmeg/vortfarado/afiksoj/sufiksoj/igh.html)
- [Tatoeba](https://tatoeba.org/en/sentences/show/464632) (CC BY 2.0 FR), used only to check usage: #464632 *pantalonon aŭ jupon*, [#555050](https://tatoeba.org/en/sentences/show/555050) *surprovi*, [#1687098](https://tatoeba.org/en/sentences/show/1687098) *bone sidas*, [#570339](https://tatoeba.org/en/sentences/show/570339) *sin vestas*, [#1461552](https://tatoeba.org/en/sentences/show/1461552) *mezuro*