Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
Shirt in Spanish: Camisa, Camiseta, and Regional T-Shirt Words
Camisa · noun (feminine) · kah-MEE-sah
Shirt in Spanish is camisa, referring specifically to a collared or button-down shirt. A t-shirt is camiseta in most countries, but everyday speech varies widely: playera in Mexico, remera in Argentina, and polera in Chile. All are feminine nouns.
Camisa: kah-MEE-sah — three syllables, stress on the second. Camiseta: kah-mee-SEH-tah — four syllables, stress on the third.
Necesito planchar esta camisa para la entrevista.
I need to iron this shirt for the interview.
Shirt in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for shirt, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| camisa | shirt | kah-MEE-sah | Default, widely understood |
| camiseta | shirt | t-shirt — universal across Spanish-speaking countries | |
| playera | shirt | Mexico — everyday t-shirt | |
| remera | shirt | Argentina — casual t-shirt | |
| polera | shirt | Chile — casual t-shirt |
How Native Speakers Use Camisa
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Button-down shirt
Me compré una camisa azul para la boda.
I bought a blue shirt for the wedding.
Camisa specifically means a collared, button-up shirt — typically more formal.
T-shirt (general)
Hace calor, ponte una camiseta y ya.
It's hot — just put on a t-shirt.
Camiseta is the most universally understood word for t-shirt across all regions.
Mexico variant
¿Dónde compraste esa playera de la selección?
Where did you buy that national team t-shirt?
In Mexico, playera is the everyday word for t-shirt, especially casual or sports shirts.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Camisa
Using camisa when you mean t-shirt
Incorrect: Voy a ponerme una camisa para ir al gimnasio.
Correct: Voy a ponerme una camiseta para ir al gimnasio.
Camisa implies a button-down or dress shirt. Wearing one to the gym would sound odd. Use camiseta (or the local variant) for a casual t-shirt.
Forgetting the feminine article
Incorrect: Me gusta el camisa roja.
Correct: Me gusta la camisa roja.
Camisa is a feminine noun. It always takes la (singular) or las (plural), not el or los.
Lock in Shirt 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 Camisa used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using camisa in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Necesito planchar esta camisa para la entrevista. 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 Shirt in Spanish
- What is the difference between camisa and camiseta?
- Camisa is a button-down or dress shirt — the kind you'd wear to work or a formal event. Camiseta is a t-shirt or casual top without buttons. Think of camisa as 'shirt' and camiseta as 'tee.'
- Why are there so many words for t-shirt in Spanish?
- Spanish varies by region. Camiseta is universal, but Mexico says playera, Argentina says remera, and Chile says polera. All mean the same thing — a casual short-sleeved top.
- How do I say 'dress shirt' in Spanish?
- Camisa de vestir is a dress shirt. Camisa alone often implies a nicer collared shirt, but adding de vestir makes it unambiguously formal.