Translation guide
A sleeveless undershirt or athletic top, often called a tank top or vest in different English varieties. In Japanese, the most common equivalent is タンクトップ, but other terms exist depending on style and context.
A lightweight, sleeveless garment worn as underwear or casual outerwear, typically made of cotton or synthetic fabric.
The most common and widely understood term for a sleeveless top, used for both undershirts and casual wear. Borrowed from English 'tank top'.
A one-piece, tight-fitting sleeveless garment worn in sports like wrestling or track and field.
Direct loanword for athletic singlets, used in sports contexts.
レスリングの試合ではシングレットを着用します。
In wrestling matches, you wear a singlet.
In British English, 'singlet' often means a sleeveless undershirt (vest), while in American English it's called a tank top or A-shirt. In sports, 'singlet' refers to a one-piece wrestling or track uniform. Japanese uses different terms for these concepts.
タンクトップ is the modern, general term for tank tops. ランニングシャツ is older and often associated with traditional men's undershirts or athletic wear. Young people rarely use ランニングシャツ for fashion items.
若者はランニングシャツとは言わず、タンクトップと言う。
Young people say 'tank top' rather than 'running shirt'.
夏はタンクトップをよく着ます。
I often wear tank tops in summer.
白いタンクトップを下着として着ている。
I'm wearing a white tank top as underwear.
Literally 'running shirt', often used for athletic sleeveless tops or undershirts, especially those with wider armholes. Common among older generations.
父はいつもランニングシャツを着ている。
My dad always wears a sleeveless undershirt.
From 'no sleeve', used for any sleeveless garment, but often implies a more fashionable or feminine top rather than a basic undershirt.
このノースリーブのトップス、かわいいね。
This sleeveless top is cute, isn't it?
General term for underwear or undergarments. Can refer to a singlet when context makes it clear, but not specific to sleeveless tops.
肌着を着替えた。
I changed my underwear.
General term for sports uniform. Can be used when the specific type is clear from context.
陸上のユニフォームはシングレットタイプです。
The track and field uniform is a singlet type.