bombacha
underwear
Definition & meaning
Bombacha is a feminine Spanish noun with different regional meanings:
-
Underwear, especially women’s briefs or panties
In Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, and parts of Bolivia, bombacha commonly means a pair of women’s underpants. The plural is bombachas. -
Loose, baggy trousers
In the expression bombacha de campo, it refers to traditional wide-legged trousers associated with gauchos and rural work in Argentina and Uruguay. In this sense, it is similar to riding trousers or traditional country pants.
The exact meaning depends on the country and context.
Grammar & Word origin
- Gender: feminine
- Singular: la bombacha
- Plural: las bombachas
- Pronunciation: /bomˈbatʃa/
The word is related to bombacho , an older adjective and noun referring to clothing that is loose or puffed out. It is ultimately associated with the idea of something swollen or baggy.
Synonyms & antonyms
Meaning: underwear
Possible regional synonyms include:
- braga : common in Spain for women’s briefs; it is less typical than bombacha in much of South America.
- calzón : used in several Latin American countries for underwear, though its exact meaning varies by region.
- ropa interior : a general term meaning underwear, not specifically women’s briefs.
- pantaleta : used in some parts of Latin America for women’s panties.
There is no exact antonym for bombacha in this sense. A contrasting item would be a sostén or corpiño , meaning bra, but these are different types of underwear rather than true opposites.
Meaning: loose rural trousers
Related terms include:
- pantalón : the general word for trousers or pants; it is broader and does not necessarily imply the loose, traditional style of bombacha.
- calzón : historically or regionally, it can refer to loose traditional trousers, but it is not always interchangeable with bombacha.
There is no direct antonym, although pantalón ajustado , meaning tight-fitting trousers, contrasts with the loose shape of a bombacha.
Common phrases & collocations
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Examples
La bombacha se secó al sol.word
The underwear dried in the sun.
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