Guide · Hebrew-English
Work clothes in English:
glossary of terms
Ordering from an overseas supplier, sending a spec to an agent, or writing to an English-speaking customer? It helps to know what each garment is called. This page covers work clothes in English: a short glossary of common terms, with the differences between British and American English and notes on what is easy to get wrong.
Why precise terms matter
The same garment is sometimes called by two different names in English, depending on the country. Someone who asks a British supplier for pants may get underwear, and someone who asks an American supplier for vest will get a waistcoat-style vest, not a tank top. So in a quote or an order, it is better to attach a photo or measurements too, and not rely on the name alone.
AmericanTrousers
BritishUnderwear
AmericanVest
BritishTank top
Pants and overalls
מכנסי דגמ״ח
cargo pants (in the UK also cargo trousers).
The name refers to the pockets on the sides of the legs.
מכנסי עבודה
work pants (American), work trousers (British).
סרבלים ואוברולים
overalls in British English, coveralls in American English.
In American English overalls are actually bib overalls with straps and no sleeves.
טייץ
leggings or tights.
In British English tights are usually thin pantyhose, so in sports people useleggings.
Tops & layers
חולצת פולו
polo shirt.
חולצת טריקו
T-shirt (or tee).
חולצה עם שרוול ארוך
long-sleeve shirt.
sweatshirt
hoodieסווטשירט וקפוצ׳ון
sweatshirt andhoodie.
jacket
coatג׳קט ומעיל
jacket andcoat.
jacket is usually short and less insulated, coat is longer.
גופייה
tank top (American), vest (British).
This is where the mix-up between the two sides is especially common.
Professional wear
In several fields there are fixed terms worth knowing:
אפוד זוהר
hi-vis vest or high-visibility vest.
Also common in the US: safety vest.
חלוק ומקטורן
smock, work coat or overcoat.
A medical or lab coat is called lab coat.
ביגוד רפואי
medical wear.
In this field the word scrubs is also used for hospital staff clothing.
ביגוד למטבח
kitchen wear, and in restaurants also chef wear.
נעלי עבודה
work shoes.
Safety shoes are called safety shoes or safety footwear, and in the US sometimes safety boots when it is a high boot.
cap
glovesכובע וכפפות
cap andgloves.
Customization, embroidery and printing
When ordering clothes with a logo, the English terms are:
מיתוג
branding, and for employee clothing also custom workwear or uniforms.
רקמה
embroidery.
הדפסת DTF
DTF printing.
DTF stands for direct to film.
הדפס משי
screen printing.
לוגו
logo; a logo file for printing - artwork.
At Nirlon we do embroidery, DTF printing and screen printing in our own factory in Karmiel, on garments that suit it, and also on hi-vis vests, kitchen wear and medical wear.
How to state sizes
The sizes S, M, L, XL are marked with the same letters in English too. The difference is in the terms: size chart or size guide mean a size chart, andfit is the cut (for example slim fit or regular fit).
After translating the garment name, always ask for a size chart in cm, because a size M at one supplier is not necessarily an M at another.
Useful phrases for an order
We need 50 polo shirts with an embroidered logo
דרושות לנו 50 חולצות פולו עם לוגו רקום.
Can you send a size chart in centimetres?
אפשר לקבל טבלת מידות בסנטימטרים?
Please send a mockup before production
נא לשלוח הדמיה לפני הייצור.
Don't forget to specify the color, quantity and sizes for each model, and whether it is a business order, so the quote is accurate.
Frequently asked questions
How do you say מכנסי דגמ״ח in English?
Cargo pants, and in the UK also cargo trousers.
What is the difference between overalls andcoveralls?
In British English overalls are full work coveralls, and in American English they are coveralls. In American English overalls mean bib overalls with straps and no sleeves.
How do you say אפוד זוהר in English?
Hi-vis vest or high-visibility vest, and in the US also safety vest.
How do you say רקמה and הדפס משי in English?
רקמה is embroidery, and הדפס משי is screen printing. In English, הדפסת DTF is called DTF printing.
Does Nirlon make clothes with a logo?
Yes, Nirlon does embroidery, DTF printing and screen printing at the factory in Karmiel, on garments that suit customization, and also on hi-vis vests, kitchen wear and medical wear.
Nirlon,
a factory in Karmiel
Nirlon has been a factory and store in Karmiel since 1998. The factory store is at 28 HaNapach St., Industrial Zone, Karmiel.
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