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Mainland China vs Hong Kong: 7 Fashion Terms You Need to Know

Ka Yee Meck



What Do You Call a "Skirt" in Chinese?


Well, That Depends on Where You Live!




When it comes to fashion, we all know that trends can vary wildly depending on where you live in the world. But did you know that even within the same country, fashion terminology can be wildly different between regions? Mainland China and Hong Kong are a case in point: while we all know that Simplified Chinese is used in the mainland, while Traditional Chinese is used in Hong Kong, a "converter" that merely converts one script to another simply won't cut it when it comes to fashion translation as different words are often used to denote the same thing!


Having worked with top luxury fashion houses like Dior and Louis Vuitton, as well as spending two years working as an in-house translator/ sub-editor for NET-A-PORTER, I’ve seen these differences firsthand.


Let’s dive into 7 key fashion terms, from skirts to accessories, and explore how they differ between Mainland China and Hong Kong.


1. Skirt: 半身裙 (Mainland China) vs 半截裙 (Hong Kong)


A classic item in every wardrobe, but if you ask for a “skirt” in Mainland China, you’ll likely hear 半身裙 (bàn shēn qún), which literally means “half-body skirt.” Meanwhile, over in Hong Kong, you’d be using 半截裙, which translates to “half-cut skirt” . While the difference is seemingly small (only one of the three characters is different), using the correct term for the region and the specific client as per their preferences (your client's termbase/ glossary is KING!) is of paramount importance.


2. Necklace: 项链 (Mainland China) vs 頸鏈 (Hong Kong)


If you’re shopping for jewellery, you’ll want to know that in Mainland China, 项链 (xiàng liàn) is the word for a necklace. In Hong Kong, however, you’ll hear people asking for a 頸鏈... Confused? Don't worry. They really are the same thing!


3. Backpack: 背包 (Mainland China) vs 背囊 (Hong Kong)

Need a new bag for all your essentials? If you’re in Mainland China, you’ll ask for a 背包 (bèi bāo) – literally “back bag.” But hop over to Hong Kong, and the term changes to 背囊, which has more of a rugged, practical tone to it, meaning “back pouch.”


4. Wallet: 钱包 (Mainland China) vs 銀包 (Hong Kong)


A wallet is an everyday must-have, but in Mainland China, it’s called a 钱包 (qián bāo), which directly translates to “money bag.” In Hong Kong, however, the preferred term is 銀包, or “silver bag” – a nod to the days when coins were the primary currency.


5. Coat: 大衣/外套 (Mainland China) vs 大褸 (Hong Kong)

What's a "coat" in Chinese? In Mainland China, you’ll often hear 大衣 (dà yī) or 外套 (wài tào) to refer to a coat. But in Hong Kong, the term 大褸 is often clients' preferred term, although 大衣 and 外套 are also used in the region.


6. Bra: 胸罩 or 文胸 (Mainland China) vs 胸圍 (Hong Kong)

Shopping for lingerie? In Mainland China, 胸罩 (xiōng zhào) or 文胸 (wén xiōng) is how you’d refer to a bra. Meanwhile, in Hong Kong, you’d call it a 胸圍 – using this term in mainland China might result in the shop assistant getting a tape measure out to see what your chest circumference is!


7. Cross-body Bag: 斜挎包 (Mainland China) vs 斜孭袋 (Hong Kong)

Cross-body bags have been having a moment, but depending on where you are, you’ll hear different terms. In Mainland China, it’s known as a 斜挎包 (xié kuà bāo), meaning “diagonal carry bag.” In Hong Kong, though, it becomes a 斜孭袋, where 孭 (pronounced "meh") is the unique Cantonese verb for “to carry.”


These are just some examples of differences in fashion terminology between Mainland China and Hong Kong!


As you can see, these regional differences in terminology show just how rich and varied the Chinese language can be. Whether you’re translating for luxury brands or just trying to navigate your next shopping trip, knowing these terms can make all the difference.


Need an expert fashion translator with over a decade of experience translating for both the Hong Kong and Mainland Chinese markets? Get in touch with me to discuss your project today!


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