Translation guide
Long johns are thermal underwear, typically covering the full legs and often with long sleeves, worn under clothes for warmth. In Japanese, the most common term is ババシャツ for tops and 股引 (ももひき) for bottoms, though modern thermal wear is often called 保温下着 or 防寒下着.
To refer to long johns as a type of warm undergarment, without specifying top or bottom.
General term for thermal underwear, literally 'heat-retaining underwear'. Suitable for modern, functional garments.
冬は保温下着が欠かせません。
Thermal underwear is essential in winter.
Literally 'cold-protection underwear'. Emphasizes protection against cold.
スキーに行くので防寒下着を買った。
I bought thermal underwear because I'm going skiing.
Colloquial term for a thermal undershirt, often associated with older styles or women's wear. Can sound slightly old-fashioned or humorous.
寒いからババシャツを着てるよ。
It's cold, so I'm wearing a thermal undershirt.
Specifically referring to the bottom part of long johns, like long underpants or leggings worn under trousers.
Traditional Japanese long underpants, often worn by men. Now also used for modern thermal leggings.
祖父は冬になると股引をはく。
My grandfather wears long underpants in winter.
Kansai dialect term for long underpants, similar to 股引. Common in casual speech in western Japan.
Tights or leggings, often worn as thermal underwear by both men and women. Can refer to sports tights or fashion tights.
Leggings, often used as thermal innerwear. More associated with women's fashion, but also used for warmth.
Specifically the top part of long johns, a long-sleeved undershirt for warmth.
Literally 'long-sleeved underwear'. A straightforward, neutral term.
長袖の下着を着ると暖かい。
Wearing a long-sleeved undershirt keeps you warm.
As above, but specifically for the top. Very common in casual conversation.
ババシャツがないと冬は越せない。
I can't get through winter without a thermal undershirt.
Brand name (Uniqlo's HEATTECH) often used generically for thin, warm innerwear tops. Very common in modern Japanese.
今日は寒いからヒートテックを着てきた。
It's cold today, so I wore my HEATTECH.
Referring to a matching set of thermal underwear, both top and bottom.
Literally 'upper and lower thermal underwear'. Clear and specific.
登山用に上下の保温下着を買った。
I bought a thermal underwear set for mountain climbing.
Colloquial combination for a full set, using the casual terms for top and bottom.
ばあちゃんがババシャツと股引を送ってくれた。
My grandma sent me thermal underwear (top and bottom).
The English term 'long johns' does not have a direct, single-word equivalent in Japanese. Using ロングジョンズ would not be understood. Instead, use the specific terms for top or bottom, or general terms like 保温下着.
While 股引 and ババシャツ are traditional and widely understood, younger generations may prefer ヒートテック (brand name) or 保温下着 for modern, thin thermal wear. ババシャツ can sound humorous or old-lady-ish.
It's cold, so I'm wearing long johns.
I wear tights under my ski wear.
冬はレギンスを重ね履きする。
In winter, I layer leggings.