Shirt is a formal or semi-formal upper-body garment for men and women, typically with a collar, buttons down the front, and sleeves. The character 衬 (chèn) means 'lining' or 'underlayer', suggesting something worn close to the body or beneath outer clothing; 衫 (shān) is a classical term for a loose-fitting top or tunic, now used broadly for shirts and blouses. Together, 衬衫 literally conveys 'a layered top' — historically distinguishing it from outer garments like jackets or coats.

In modern usage, 衬衫 refers specifically to dress shirts (not T-shirts, polo shirts, or casual tops), often made of cotton or blended fabrics, and commonly worn with suits, ties, or smart-casual outfits. It’s widely used in work settings, formal events, and daily professional life across Chinese-speaking regions. While gender-neutral in grammar, context or adjectives (e.g., 男式衬衫 ‘men’s shirt’, 女式衬衫 ‘women’s blouse’) clarify style or fit.