01
der Pyjama
pajamas
A comfortable, usually two-piece item of clothing consisting of pants and a top, worn for sleeping.
example
Am Sonntag bleibe ich gerne den ganzen Vormittag im Pyjama.
On Sundays, I like to stay in my pajamas all morning.
der Pyjama
pajamas
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Meanings
Usage tips
Singular for a set
Although a Pyjama (pajamas) usually consists of two pieces, the word is used in German as a countable noun in the singular. You speak of 'einem Pyjama' (one pair/set of pajamas) when you mean a set consisting of pants and a top.
EXAMPLE
Ich muss mir einen neuen Pyjama kaufen, meiner ist schon alt.
I need to buy myself a new pair of pajamas; mine are already old.
Use with "in"
The expression 'im Pyjama sein' (to be in pajamas) or 'im Pyjama bleiben' (to stay in pajamas) is used very frequently. It describes wearing sleepwear, often in the context of relaxing on the weekend or being sick.
EXAMPLE
Er war krank und verbrachte den ganzen Tag im Pyjama auf dem Sofa.
He was sick and spent the whole day on the sofa in his pajamas.
Typical verbs
As with other clothing, 'Pyjama' (pajamas) is often combined with the verbs 'anziehen' (to put on), 'ausziehen' (to take off), and 'tragen' (to wear).
EXAMPLE
Vor dem Schlafengehen zieht er immer seinen bequemsten Pyjama an.
Before going to bed, he always puts on his most comfortable pajamas.
Compare with
Pyjama vs Schlafanzug
pajamas
'der Schlafanzug' and 'der Pyjama' mean almost the same thing in everyday language: comfortable clothing for sleeping, usually with pants and a top. 'Schlafanzug' is a German word and describes the function very directly. 'Pyjama' is also very common and sounds a little more international. Learners can easily confuse the words because both fit in the same situations. In most conversations, you can use either word.
Pyjama
Er sitzt am Sonntagmorgen noch im Pyjama am Frühstückstisch.
On Sunday morning, he is still sitting at the breakfast table in his pajamas.
Schlafanzug
Zu Hause zieht sich das Kind sofort seinen Schlafanzug an.
At home, the child immediately puts on his pajamas.
In real life
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