Translation guide
A sleeveless, collarless shirt with wide shoulder straps. In Japanese, the term can refer to both the casual undershirt style and the more fashionable outerwear style, but the most common word is タンクトップ.
The most common way to refer to a tank top as a casual, sleeveless top, often worn as an undershirt or in warm weather.
The standard loanword for 'tank top'. Widely understood and used for both men's and women's styles.
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買った。
I bought a white tank top.
Literally 'running shirt', this refers to a sleeveless undershirt or athletic tank top, often worn by men. It can sound a bit old-fashioned or specific to sportswear.
父はいつもランニングシャツを下着として着ている。
My father always wears a tank top as underwear.
From 'no sleeve', this is a broader term for any sleeveless top, including tank tops, camisoles, and dresses. Often used in fashion contexts.
ノースリーブのトップスが流行っている。
Sleeveless tops are in fashion.
Specifically for a stylish, often tighter-fitting tank top worn as outerwear by women.
A camisole, typically with thin straps and often made of satin or lace. Can be worn as underwear or as a fashionable top.
シルクのキャミソールが欲しい。
I want a silk camisole.
Also used for women's tank tops, but may imply a more casual, cotton style compared to キャミソール.
A sleeveless undershirt worn by men, often called a 'wife-beater' in colloquial English, but that term is offensive; in Japanese, it's a neutral undershirt.
Short for ランニングシャツ, this is the most common term for a men's sleeveless undershirt. It's casual and widely used.
夏はランニング一枚で過ごす。
In summer, I just hang out in a tank top.
Can also refer to a men's tank top, but may sound slightly more like outerwear or a fashion item.
タンクトップ is the safest, most general term for a tank top. ランニングシャツ (or just ランニング) is specifically a men's sleeveless undershirt, often ribbed cotton. キャミソール is a women's camisole, usually with thin straps and a more delicate design. Use タンクトップ unless you need to specify the gender or style.
彼はランニング姿でテレビを見ていた。
He was watching TV in his tank top (undershirt).
彼女はキャミソールにカーディガンを羽織っていた。
She wore a camisole with a cardigan over it.
Do not translate 'tank top' literally as 戦車の上 (sensha no ue) or similar. It will not be understood. Stick to the loanwords above.
This tank top is cute with its floral pattern.
I wear a tank top at the gym.