Jumper

Slang Term BritishAustralian ★★★★★ Very Common Neutral
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Meaning: Sweater, pullover

毛衣、套头衫
Jersey, suéter
セーター、プルオーバー
스웨터, 풀오버

A jumper in Britain is what Americans call a sweater—a knitted garment pulled over the head. The terminology trap is that American 'jumper' means a sleeveless dress (British: pinafore)! This causes genuine confusion: a British person asking Americans 'nice jumper!' about their sweater will get puzzled looks. Christmas jumpers have become a British institution—the gaudier and more festive, the better. 'Woolly jumper' evokes cozy British practicality.

英国的jumper就是美国人说的sweater——一种从头套上的针织衣物。术语陷阱是美国的'jumper'指的是无袖连衣裙(英国叫pinafore)!圣诞毛衣已经成为英国的传统——越俗气越有节日气氛越好。
Un jumper en Gran Bretaña es lo que los americanos llaman sweater—una prenda de punto que se pone por la cabeza. ¡La trampa terminológica es que el 'jumper' americano significa un vestido sin mangas (británico: pinafore)! Los jerseys navideños se han convertido en una institución británica.
イギリスのjumperはアメリカ人がsweaterと呼ぶもの——頭からかぶるニット。用語の罠はアメリカの'jumper'がノースリーブのワンピース(イギリスではpinafore)を意味すること!クリスマスセーターはイギリスの伝統になった。
영국에서 점퍼(jumper)는 미국인이 스웨터(sweater)라고 부르는 머리 위로 입는 니트 의류다. 혼란스러운 점은 미국에서 'jumper'가 소매 없는 원피스(영국: pinafore)를 뜻한다는 것이다! 영국인이 미국인에게 스웨터를 보고 'nice jumper!'라고 하면 어리둥절한 표정을 받게 된다. 크리스마스 점퍼는 영국의 전통이 되었고, 화려하고 축제 분위기일수록 좋다.

Examples

  1. Put a jumper on—it's cold.
    穿件毛衣——很冷。
    Ponte un jersey—hace frío.
    セーター着て——寒いよ。
    스웨터 입어—추워.
  2. Nice jumper!
    毛衣真好看!
    ¡Bonito jersey!
    いいセーターだね!
    멋진 스웨터야!
  3. Christmas jumper.
    圣诞毛衣。
    Jersey navideño.
    クリスマスセーター。
    크리스마스 스웨터.
  4. I've lost my favourite jumper.
    我最喜欢的毛衣不见了。
    He perdido mi jersey favorito.
    お気に入りのセーターをなくした。
    가장 좋아하는 스웨터를 잃어버렸어.

Pronunciation

/ˈdʒʌmpə/

Usage Guide

Context: clothing, weather

Tone: neutral, everyday

✓ Do Say

  • Wear a jumper.
    穿毛衣
    Ponte un jersey
    セーターを着る
    스웨터를 입다.
  • Christmas jumper.
    圣诞毛衣
    Jersey navideño
    クリスマスセーター
    크리스마스 스웨터.
  • Woolly jumper.
    羊毛毛衣
    Jersey de lana
    ウールのセーター
    울 스웨터.

✗ Don't Say

  • American: sweater
    美式:sweater
    Americano: sweater
    アメリカ式:sweater
    미국식: sweater
  • Very different meanings in US
    在美国含义完全不同
    Significados muy diferentes en EE.UU.
    アメリカでは全く違う意味
    미국에서는 매우 다른 의미

Common Mistakes

Origin & History

The British 'jumper' evolved from a 19th-century 'jump'—a short coat or loose jacket. When knitted pullovers became common, they inherited the name. Americans went a different direction: 'sweater' comes from the garments worn to induce sweating during exercise. The vocabulary divergence means the same word describes completely different garments across the Atlantic: British jumper (pullover sweater) versus American jumper (pinafore dress). This remains one of the most confusing transatlantic clothing terms.

Etymology: From 'jump' (short coat) in 19th century

First recorded: British usage from 19th century

Cultural Context

Era: 19th century onwards

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal

Pop culture: Christmas jumper tradition; Bridget Jones's diary references

Regional notes: British term. American 'jumper' means pinafore dress.

Variations

JumperWoolly jumperChristmas jumper

Related Phrases

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