Translation guide
The English word 'thong' can refer to a type of underwear, a type of sandal, or a narrow strip of leather. This guide covers how to express these meanings in Japanese.
A type of underwear with a narrow strip of fabric at the back.
The most common and neutral term for thong underwear in Japanese. It is a loanword from English 'T-back'.
彼女はTバックをはいている。
She is wearing a thong.
A direct loanword from English 'thong', used specifically for underwear. Less common than Tバック but understood.
新しいソングを買った。
I bought a new thong.
Slang term combining 'string' (紐) and 'panties' (パン). Used colloquially, often with a playful or vulgar nuance.
紐パンは見えちゃダメだよ。
Your thong shouldn't be visible.
A type of sandal with a V-shaped strap between the big toe and second toe.
The standard term for flip-flops or thong sandals in Japanese. Literally 'beach sandals'.
夏はビーチサンダルを履く。
I wear thongs in the summer.
A traditional term for rubber thong sandals, often associated with cheap, simple footwear. Can sound old-fashioned.
A generic term for sandals. Can be used for thong-style sandals if context is clear, but it's ambiguous.
A thin strip of leather used for fastening or as a whip.
Literally 'leather string'. Used for a thin strip of leather, such as in crafting or clothing.
このバッグは革紐で結ばれている。
This bag is tied with a leather thong.
Means 'whip'. Can refer to a thong used as a whip, but it's a broader term.
彼は革の鞭を使った。
He used a leather thong.
The English word 'thong' for underwear is not directly translated as '紐' (string) or '革紐' (leather string) in Japanese. Use 'Tバック' or 'ソング' instead to avoid confusion.
Tバックを履く
wear a thong
'Tバック' is the most common term for thong underwear and is widely understood. 'ソング' is a direct loanword but is less frequently used and may sound slightly more technical or foreign. In everyday conversation, 'Tバック' is preferred.
おじいちゃんはゴム草履を愛用している。
Grandpa loves his rubber thongs.
そのサンダル、履きやすそうだね。
Those thongs look comfortable.