下着

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 下着 is read as したぎ and means underwear worn beneath outer clothing and close to the skin.
• Basic usage: Use 旅行用の下着 for underwear packed for a trip and 洗った下着を干す for hanging washed underwear to dry.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Difference between 下着 and 衣服
  • The former specifically means garments worn under outer clothes, whereas the latter covers clothing as a whole, including inner and outer garments.