Is pijama masculine or feminine in Spanish?

The grammatical gender varies by region. In Spain, pijama is typically treated as masculine (el pijama), while in much of Latin America it is treated as feminine (la pijama). Both forms are considered correct within their respective regions, so follow the convention of the audience you are addressing.

Do you say pijama or piyama?

Pijama is the spelling recognized by the Real Academia Española and used in most formal writing. However, piyama appears in everyday speech and informal writing in parts of Central America and the Caribbean, where the j is often softened to a y sound.

Is pijama singular or plural in Spanish?

Spanish typically uses the singular pijama to refer to one set of sleepwear, unlike English which defaults to the plural 'pajamas.' You would say una pijama nueva (a new pair of pajamas), and only use the plural pijamas when talking about multiple sets.

Spanish vocabulary · Beginner

PAJAMAS in Spanish: PIJAMA

Written by Sofia Ramirez, Lead Spanish Curriculum Editor · Reviewed May 2026

Pijama · noun · pee-HAH-mah

The Spanish word for pajamas is pijama, and it can be either masculine (el pijama) or feminine (la pijama) depending on the country. In Spain, el pijama with the masculine article is standard, while many Latin American speakers use la pijama with the feminine article. Unlike English, Spanish typically uses the singular form—una pijama—even when referring to a full set of sleepwear. You may also see the alternate spelling piyama in some regions, reflecting local pronunciation patterns.

pee-HAH-mah

Todavía llevo puesta la pijama porque es domingo.

I am still wearing my pajamas because it is Sunday.

Pajamas in Spanish: Quick Reference

Below are the most common Spanish words for pajamas, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.

Spanish	English	Pronunciation	Region / Register
pijama	pajamas	pee-HAH-mah	Default, widely understood
piyama	pajamas		parts of Latin America

How Native Speakers Use Pijama

Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.

Getting ready for bed

Voy a ponerme la pijama antes de ver la película.

I am going to put on my pajamas before watching the movie.

Ponerse means 'to put on' when referring to clothing.

Shopping for sleepwear

Estas pijamas de algodón son muy cómodas.

These cotton pajamas are very comfortable.

When referring to multiple sets, the plural pijamas is used.

Lazy morning at home

Los niños pasaron toda la mañana en pijama jugando en la sala.

The kids spent the whole morning in pajamas playing in the living room.

En pijama (in pajamas) is used without an article to describe a state of dress.

Avoid These Mistakes When Using Pijama

Adding an extra syllable

Incorrect: Me compré una pajama nueva.

Correct: Me compré una pijama nueva.

The Spanish spelling is pijama with an i, not pajama with an a. The English spelling does not carry over into Spanish.

Gender confusion

Incorrect: El pijama es bonita.

Correct: El pijama es bonito. / La pijama es bonita.

The adjective must agree with the grammatical gender you assign to pijama—if you use el (masculine), the adjective must also be masculine.

Lock in Pajamas Vocabulary with the Parrot Method

Why word lists alone don't stick

Memorizing a translation feels productive, but most learners forget 70% of what they studied within 48 hours. Vocabulary needs spaced repetition AND real-world exposure to transfer to long-term memory.

See Pijama used by native speakers

Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using pijama in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Todavía llevo puesta la pijama porque es domingo. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.

Save, review, repeat, stay consistent

Tap any word to save it. Parrot's spaced-repetition system surfaces it right before you'd forget, no manual flashcard creation. The watch, parrot back, save, review cycle turns recognition into fluency at 2.7x the speed of traditional study.

Common Questions About Pajamas in Spanish

Is pijama masculine or feminine in Spanish?: The grammatical gender varies by region. In Spain, pijama is typically treated as masculine (el pijama), while in much of Latin America it is treated as feminine (la pijama). Both forms are considered correct within their respective regions, so follow the convention of the audience you are addressing.
Do you say pijama or piyama?: Pijama is the spelling recognized by the Real Academia Española and used in most formal writing. However, piyama appears in everyday speech and informal writing in parts of Central America and the Caribbean, where the j is often softened to a y sound.
Is pijama singular or plural in Spanish?: Spanish typically uses the singular pijama to refer to one set of sleepwear, unlike English which defaults to the plural 'pajamas.' You would say una pijama nueva (a new pair of pajamas), and only use the plural pijamas when talking about multiple sets.