Literal Meaning

Athletic shoes

Actual Meaning

Athletic footwear like sneakers - the standard New Zealand term borrowed from British English

Context

Used when discussing sports activities or casual footwear choices.

Examples

• "Do you think I should buy new trainers for the fitness class?"
• "She showed up to the party in her trendy trainers."
• "I love wearing my trainers when I go for a run in the park."

Tips

• If you hear 'trainers' in a casual context, it's usually not about formal shoes, so consider the setting to gauge the meaning.
• In New Zealand, 'trainers' always refers to athletic shoes, so if someone mentions them, they likely mean something comfortable for sports or casual wear.
• Keep an ear out for how 'trainers' is used in conversations, as it might help you understand if people are talking about fashion or performance footwear.