What does gufiya mean in English?

גּוּפִיָּה can mean an undershirt, tank top, cami, or sports top. Check the department and words such as ריב, ספגטי, ריצה, or אימון.

Does trening mean sweatpants or a tracksuit?

טרנינג can mean either pants or a full tracksuit. מכנסי טרנינג means the pants, while חליפת טרנינג or אִמּוּנִית means a coordinated top-and-pants set.

Does kapushon mean hoodie or hood?

קפוצ'ון usually means a hoodie in a garment title. מעיל עם קפוצ'ון means a coat with a hood, so קפוצ'ון names the attached hood in that phrase.

Are kafkafim always flip-flops?

No. כַּפְכַּפִּים can include flip-flops, slides, clogs, backless sandals, and house slippers. כפכפי אצבע are the toe-post style that English calls flip-flops.

Is khultsa mekhufteret a button-down shirt?

חולצה מכופתרת is safely translated as button-up or button-front shirt. Button-down means that small buttons fasten the collar points to the shirt.

Israeli Clothing Guide: Hebrew Words in English

Sleeveless Tops

A white sleeveless tank top laid flat, gufiya

On the label or sign

גופייה: sleeveless top, exact kind depends on context

גּוּפִיָּהSleeveless top

gufiya

US English

Undershirt, tank top, cami, or athletic tank

UK English

Vest, vest top, cami, or running vest

What it is

גּוּפִיָּה is an umbrella word for a sleeveless upper-body top in Israeli shops. The department and modifier identify the specific kind.

The difference

The English name changes with the use. גּוּפִיָּה can be underwear, a fashion top, a thin-strap cami, or a sports top.

Common mistake

Do not assume גּוּפִיָּה always means underwear, and do not use US vest for an undershirt.

On the label or sign

ריב: rib knit
סבא: retail style name for a ribbed tank

גופיית ריב / גופיית סבאRibbed tank or undershirt

gufiyat rib / gufiyat saba

US English

Ribbed undershirt, ribbed tank, or A-shirt

UK English

Ribbed vest or ribbed vest top

What it is

גופיית ריב is a rib-knit sleeveless top. גופיית סבא is a current style name for a similar ribbed shape.

The difference

The same ribbed shape can be underwear in one department and fashion outerwear in another. גופיית סבא does not mean a separate technical garment.

Common mistake

Check the department before treating every גופיית ריב or גופיית סבא as underwear.

On the label or sign

ספגטי: spaghetti straps
כתפיות: shoulder straps

גופיית ספגטי / גופיית כתפיותSpaghetti-strap cami

gufiyat spageti / gufiyat ktefiyot

US English

Cami, camisole, or spaghetti-strap tank

UK English

Cami, camisole, or strappy top

What it is

גופיית ספגטי or גופיית כתפיות is a light sleeveless top with narrow shoulder straps. A camisole can be underwear or an outer top.

The difference

The thin straps identify the style. גופיית ספגטי does not tell whether the top belongs in underwear or outerwear.

Common mistake

Do not assume every גופיית ספגטי is underwear or call every thin-strapped top a generic vest.

On the label or sign

ריצה: running
אימון / כושר: training / fitness
כדורסל: basketball

גופיית ספורט / גופיית ריצה / גופיית אימוןSports or running tank

gufiyat sport / gufiyat retsa / gufiyat imun

US English

Sports tank, running tank, or workout tank

UK English

Sports vest, running vest, or training vest

What it is

גופיית ספורט, גופיית ריצה, or גופיית אימון is a sleeveless performance or team-sport top. The activity word carries the useful meaning.

The difference

גופייה alone does not say whether the fabric is technical, cotton, or uniform-style. A basketball גופייה can be a basketball jersey.

Common mistake

Buy by the activity modifier instead of choosing a cotton fashion tank for a technical sports use.

Tracksuits and Sweatpants

On the label or sign

מכנס / מכנסי: pants
חליפה / סט: set
ג'קט: jacket or top

טרנינגSweatpants or tracksuit

trening

US English

Sweatpants, sweats, or tracksuit, by context

UK English

Joggers, trackies, or tracksuit, by context

What it is

טרנינג is a colloquial category word. טרנינג can mean individual pants or a coordinated top-and-pants set.

The difference

English separates sweatpants from a tracksuit. The product title must show whether טרנינג contains one piece or two.

Common mistake

Confirm the included pieces before ordering טרנינג as a tracksuit or asking for sweatpants.

On the label or sign

רחבה: wide cut
קצרה: short
ג'וגר: jogger cut

מכנסי טרנינגSweatpants

mikhnesey trening

US English

Sweatpants, or sweat shorts when explicitly short

UK English

Jogging bottoms, joggers, or tracksuit bottoms

What it is

מכנסי טרנינג are casual or sports pants in the טרנינג family. Israeli listings include straight, wide-leg, cargo, pleated, short, and jogger-cut versions.

The difference

A cuffed ankle is not built into the Hebrew term מכנסי טרנינג. The cut appears in an added word such as ג'וגר.

Common mistake

Do not assume all מכנסי טרנינג are cuffed joggers or that jogger names a fabric.

On the label or sign

בגזרת ג'וגר: in a jogger cut

מכנסי טרנינג בגזרת ג'וגרJogger sweatpants

mikhnesey trening be-gizrat joger

US English

Jogger sweatpants

UK English

Cuffed joggers or jogging bottoms

What it is

מכנסי טרנינג בגזרת ג'וגר are sweatpants cut to taper and fit at the ankle. The waist is elastic, and the cuffs are usually ribbed or elastic.

The difference

ג'וגר describes the cut rather than the fabric. Israeli shops also sell jogger-cut pants in woven and corduroy fabrics outside the טרנינג category.

Common mistake

Do not treat joggers and sweatpants as exact synonyms in both directions.

On the label or sign

חליפה / סט: suit / set
אִמּוּנִית: tracksuit

חליפת טרנינג / אִמּוּנִיתTracksuit

khalifat trening / imunit

US English

Tracksuit or sweatsuit

UK English

Tracksuit

What it is

חליפת טרנינג or אִמּוּנִית is a coordinated top-and-pants set. אִמּוּנִית is the Academy term for a tracksuit.

The difference

A tracksuit includes both pieces. Sweatpants names only the bottom half.

Common mistake

Confirm that both pieces are pictured and included before buying a חליפת טרנינג.

On the label or sign

ג'קט / עליונית: jacket / top layer
רוכסן: zip

ג'קט טרנינג / עליונית טרנינגTrack jacket

jaket trening / elyonit trening

US English

Track jacket or warm-up jacket

UK English

Track jacket or tracksuit top

What it is

ג'קט טרנינג or עליונית טרנינג is the upper half of a tracksuit sold or named separately. A track jacket can have a full zip and can be worn without matching pants.

The difference

The word טרנינג does not guarantee a two-piece set. ג'קט or עליונית identifies the top only.

Common mistake

Do not expect pants with a ג'קט טרנינג or עליונית טרנינג unless the listing says a set is included.

Hoodies and Hoods

On the label or sign

סווטשירט קפוצ'ון: hooded sweatshirt
קפוצ'ון ללא סוגר: pullover hoodie

קפוצ'וןHoodie

kapushon

US English

Hoodie

UK English

Hoodie

What it is

קפוצ'ון in a garment title usually means a sweatshirt or knit top with an attached hood. The garment can be a pullover or a zip style.

The difference

English hoodie names the whole hooded sweatshirt. English hood names only the head-covering part.

Common mistake

Do not assume every קפוצ'ון has a zip or translate every use of קפוצ'ון as the whole garment.

On the label or sign

ללא סוגר: without a fastening
PULLOVER: pullover

קפוצ'ון ללא סוגר / קפוצ'ון PULLOVERPullover hoodie

kapushon lelo soger / pullover

US English

Pullover hoodie

UK English

Pullover hoodie

What it is

קפוצ'ון ללא סוגר or קפוצ'ון PULLOVER is a hoodie pulled over the head. The front has no full opening.

The difference

The absence of a full front zip defines the pullover construction. A kangaroo pocket may appear but is not required by the sourced wording.

Common mistake

Do not ask for a zip-up when the label says קפוצ'ון ללא סוגר.

On the label or sign

רוכסן מלא: full zip
חצי רוכסן: half zip
ריצ'רץ': zip

קפוצ'ון עם רוכסן / ריצ'רץ'Zip-up hoodie

kapushon im rokhsan / richratz

US English

Zip-up hoodie or full-zip hoodie

UK English

Zip-up hoodie or full-zip hoodie

What it is

קפוצ'ון עם רוכסן or ריצ'רץ' is a hooded sweatshirt or knit layer with a front zip. Current listings distinguish full zips from half zips.

The difference

רוכסן מלא means a full zip. חצי רוכסן means a half zip.

Common mistake

Do not call every zip sweatshirt a hoodie because a hoodie must also have a hood.

On the label or sign

עם קפוצ'ון: with a hood / hooded
כובע קפוצ'ון: hood

כובע קפוצ'ון / מעיל עם קפוצ'וןHood or hooded coat

kova kapushon / me'il im kapushon

US English

Hood or hooded coat or jacket

UK English

Hood or hooded coat or jacket

What it is

כובע קפוצ'ון names an attached hood. מעיל עם קפוצ'ון means a coat with a hood or a hooded coat.

The difference

קפוצ'ון names the head covering when the phrase starts with another garment such as מעיל, ג'קט, סוודר, or סווטשירט. The base garment remains the English garment name.

Common mistake

Do not call a coat or sweater a hoodie only because the garment has a קפוצ'ון.

Slip-on Footwear

On the label or sign

כפכפים: broad slip-on footwear category

כַּפְכַּפִּיםSlip-on footwear

kafkafim

US English

Flip-flops, slides, clogs, mules, or slippers

UK English

Flip-flops, sliders, clogs, mules, or slippers

What it is

כַּפְכַּפִּים is a broad Israeli retail family of easy-on, usually open-backed footwear. Shops use the category for toe-post, banded, clog, comfort, and house styles.

The difference

English divides כַּפְכַּפִּים by toe construction, straps, back, lining, and indoor or outdoor use. Flip-flops are only one subtype.

Common mistake

Do not translate every pair of כַּפְכַּפִּים as flip-flops; inspect the modifier and the shoe shape.

A pair of rubber flip-flops, kafkafei etzba

On the label or sign

אצבע: toe

כפכפי אצבעFlip-flops

kafkafey etzba

US English

Flip-flops

UK English

Flip-flops

What it is

כפכפי אצבע are open shoes with a V-shaped or Y-shaped strap between the big toe and the next toe. The toe post matches the English definition of flip-flops.

The difference

The word אצבע and the visible toe post separate flip-flops from slides. Slides have no strap between the toes.

Common mistake

Use flip-flops for כפכפי אצבע because thong can be misunderstood as underwear.

On the label or sign

סלייד: slide

כפכפי סליידSlides

kafkafey slaid

US English

Slides or slide sandals

UK English

Slides or sliders

What it is

כפכפי סלייד are backless, open-toe shoes with a wide band or bands over the top of the foot. Slides have no toe post.

The difference

A band across the foot makes כפכפי סלייד slides rather than flip-flops. Nothing passes between the toes.

Common mistake

Do not call כפכפי סלייד flip-flops when the shoe has no toe post.

On the label or sign

קלוג: clog
קבקב: clog

כפכפי קלוג / קבקבClogs

kafkafey klog / kabkab

US English

Clogs or Crocs-style clogs

UK English

Clogs or Crocs-style clogs

What it is

כפכפי קלוג or קבקב are slip-ons with a closed or largely enclosed forefoot. Molded styles can have a pivoting heel strap.

The difference

A covered toe box separates clogs from open slides and flip-flops. Some molded clogs have ventilation holes and an optional heel strap.

Common mistake

Do not call כפכפי קלוג sandals or flip-flops only because a shop places the pair under כפכפים.

On the label or sign

רצועות: straps
נוחות: comfort
שטוחים: flat

כפכפים עם רצועות / כפכפי נוחותBackless sandals

kafkafim im retsuot / kafkafey nokhut

US English

Backless sandals, comfort slides, or mules

UK English

Backless sandals, comfort slides, or mules

What it is

כפכפים עם רצועות or כפכפי נוחות are backless shoes held by one or more straps. The group includes fashion styles and contoured-footbed styles.

The difference

Strapped כפכפים can be more structured than pool slides and can expose or cover the toes. Backless sandal is often the clearest general English name.

Common mistake

Do not force every strapped pair into flip-flop or slide when backless sandal describes the shape more clearly.

A pair of soft house slippers, na'alei bayit

On the label or sign

לבית: for the home
נעלי בית: house shoes / slippers
פרווה / שרפה: fur / sherpa lining

כפכפים לבית / נעלי ביתHouse slippers

kafkafim la-bayit / na'aley bayit

US English

House slippers or slippers

UK English

Slippers or house shoes

What it is

כפכפים לבית or נעלי בית are indoor comfort shoes. House slippers can be open-backed like slides or closed, soft, and lined.

The difference

English slipper specifically means a soft, comfortable indoor shoe. נעלי בית does not require a closed back.

Common mistake

Do not assume every נעלי בית is closed or that every indoor כפכף is meant for the beach or street.

Button-front Shirts

A light blue button-up shirt laid flat, khultsa mekhufteret

On the label or sign

רכיסת כפתורים: button fastening
מכופתרת: buttoned / button-front

חולצה מכופתרת / מכופתרתButton-up shirt

khultsa mekhufteret / mekhufteret

US English

Button-up shirt, button-front shirt, or blouse

UK English

Button-front shirt, collared shirt, or blouse

What it is

חולצה מכופתרת is a shirt or blouse with buttons fastening the front. מכופתרת does not specify fabric, sleeve length, formality, gender, or collar construction.

The difference

Button-up describes the front row of buttons. Button-down describes collar points fastened to the shirt with small buttons.

Common mistake

Use button-up or button-front for חולצה מכופתרת unless the collar points also button down.

On the label or sign

שרוול קצר: short sleeve
ריזורט: resort

חולצה מכופתרת שרוול קצר / חולצת ריזורטShort-sleeve button-up

khultsa mekhufteret sharvul katsar / khultsat rizort

US English

Short-sleeve button-up or resort shirt

UK English

Short-sleeve button-front shirt or resort shirt

What it is

חולצה מכופתרת שרוול קצר or חולצת ריזורט is a short-sleeved button-front shirt. Resort shirts are often casual.

The difference

The word מכופתרת does not imply a formal, long-sleeved dress shirt. שרוול קצר identifies the short sleeves.

Common mistake

Do not ask for a formal dress shirt when the listing says חולצת ריזורט or שרוול קצר.

A white band-collar shirt, tsavaron sini

On the label or sign

צווארון סיני: Mandarin collar / standing band collar

חולצה מכופתרת צווארון סיניMandarin-collar shirt

khultsa mekhufteret tsavaron sini

US English

Mandarin-collar button-up or band-collar shirt

UK English

Grandad-collar, band-collar, or Mandarin-collar shirt

What it is

חולצה מכופתרת צווארון סיני is a button-front shirt with a short standing band. The collar has no conventional fold-down points.

The difference

צווארון סיני describes the collar shape. The front fastening makes the shirt מכופתרת, while button-down would require collar points with buttons.

Common mistake

Do not call חולצה מכופתרת צווארון סיני a button-down because the collar has no points to fasten down.

On the label or sign

אוברשירט: overshirt

אוברשירט מכופתרתButton-front overshirt

overshirt mekhufteret

US English

Button-front overshirt, shirt jacket, or shacket

UK English

Button-front overshirt or shirt jacket

What it is

אוברשירט מכופתרת is a heavier button-front layer worn over other clothing. The sourced style has thick fabric, long sleeves, a classic collar, and front pockets.

The difference

An overshirt sits closer to a light jacket than to a formal shirt. The word מכופתרת only identifies the buttoned front.

Common mistake

Do not treat אוברשירט מכופתרת as an ordinary shirt merely because the title includes מכופתרת.

English item	Look for in Israel	Keep in mind
Undershirt or tank top	גופייהgufiya	Check the department and modifier.
Cami	גופיית ספגטי / גופיית כתפיותgufiyat spageti / gufiyat ktefiyot	Look for narrow straps.
Sweatpants	מכנסי טרנינגmikhnesey trening	The cut can vary.
Jogger sweatpants	מכנסי טרנינג בגזרת ג'וגרmikhnesey trening be-gizrat joger	Look for a tapered ankle.
Tracksuit	חליפת טרנינג / אִמּוּנִיתkhalifat trening / imunit	Confirm that both pieces are included.
Pullover hoodie	קפוצ'ון ללא סוגרkapushon lelo soger	No full front opening.
Zip-up hoodie	קפוצ'ון עם רוכסןkapushon im rokhsan	Check for full zip or half zip.
Flip-flops	כפכפי אצבעkafkafey etzba	The strap passes between the toes.
Slides	כפכפי סליידkafkafey slaid	A band crosses the top of the foot.
Clogs	כפכפי קלוג / קבקבkafkafey klog / kabkab	Look for a covered toe box.
House slippers	כפכפים לבית / נעלי ביתkafkafim la-bayit / na'aley bayit	These are indoor shoes.
Button-up shirt	חולצה מכופתרתkhultsa mekhufteret	The front buttons do not define the collar.

Mix-Ups to Avoid

Sleeveless Tops

גּוּפִיָּהSleeveless top

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

גופיית ריב / גופיית סבאRibbed tank or undershirt

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

גופיית ספגטי / גופיית כתפיותSpaghetti-strap cami

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

גופיית ספורט / גופיית ריצה / גופיית אימוןSports or running tank

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

Tracksuits and Sweatpants

טרנינגSweatpants or tracksuit

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

מכנסי טרנינגSweatpants

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

מכנסי טרנינג בגזרת ג'וגרJogger sweatpants

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

חליפת טרנינג / אִמּוּנִיתTracksuit

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

ג'קט טרנינג / עליונית טרנינגTrack jacket

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

Hoodies and Hoods

קפוצ'וןHoodie

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

קפוצ'ון ללא סוגר / קפוצ'ון PULLOVERPullover hoodie

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

קפוצ'ון עם רוכסן / ריצ'רץ'Zip-up hoodie

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

כובע קפוצ'ון / מעיל עם קפוצ'וןHood or hooded coat

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

Slip-on Footwear

כַּפְכַּפִּיםSlip-on footwear

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

כפכפי אצבעFlip-flops

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

כפכפי סליידSlides

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

כפכפי קלוג / קבקבClogs

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

כפכפים עם רצועות / כפכפי נוחותBackless sandals

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

כפכפים לבית / נעלי ביתHouse slippers

What it is

The difference