Japanese Words for Clothing: Essential Vocabulary Guide

Essential Clothing Vocabulary

Learning Japanese words for clothing is fundamental for everyday conversations, whether you're shopping in Tokyo or describing your outfit. This comprehensive guide covers the most important garment terms you'll need.

Word	Pronunciation	English	Example
服	fuku	clothes, clothing	新しい服を買いました。(Atarashii fuku wo kaimashita.) – I bought new clothes.
シャツ	shatsu	shirt	白いシャツが好きです。(Shiroi shatsu ga suki desu.) – I like white shirts.
ズボン	zubon	pants, trousers	このズボンは長すぎます。(Kono zubon wa nagasugimasu.) – These pants are too long.
スカート	sukaato	skirt	彼女は赤いスカートを履いています。(Kanojo wa akai sukaato wo haiteimasu.) – She is wearing a red skirt.
ワンピース	wanpiisu	dress (one-piece)	夏にはワンピースが涼しいです。(Natsu ni wa wanpiisu ga suzushii desu.) – Dresses are cool in summer.
靴	kutsu	shoes	新しい靴を履いてきました。(Atarashii kutsu wo haite kimashita.) – I came wearing new shoes.
靴下	kutsushita	socks	靴下が片方ない。(Kutsushita ga katahou nai.) – One sock is missing.
帽子	boushi	hat, cap	帽子をかぶってください。(Boushi wo kabutte kudasai.) – Please wear a hat.
コート	kooto	coat	冬にはコートが必要です。(Fuyu ni wa kooto ga hitsuyou desu.) – A coat is necessary in winter.
ジャケット	jaketto	jacket	ジャケットを着て出かけます。(Jaketto wo kite dekakemasu.) – I'll go out wearing a jacket.
セーター	seetaa	sweater	このセーターは暖かいです。(Kono seetaa wa atatakai desu.) – This sweater is warm.
Tシャツ	tii-shatsu	T-shirt	毎日Tシャツを着ます。(Mainichi tii-shatsu wo kimasu.) – I wear a T-shirt every day.
下着	shitagi	underwear	下着は毎日替えます。(Shitagi wa mainichi kaemasu.) – I change underwear every day.
着物	kimono	kimono (traditional clothing)	お正月に着物を着ます。(Oshougatsu ni kimono wo kimasu.) – I wear a kimono on New Year's.
浴衣	yukata	yukata (summer kimono)	夏祭りには浴衣を着たい。(Natsu matsuri ni wa yukata wo kitai.) – I want to wear a yukata at summer festivals.
手袋	tebukuro	gloves	手袋を忘れました。(Tebukuro wo wasuremashita.) – I forgot my gloves.
マフラー	mafuraa	scarf	寒いのでマフラーを巻きます。(Samui node mafuraa wo makimasu.) – I wrap a scarf because it's cold.

Common Phrases

When discussing Japanese words for clothing in conversation, these phrases will help you navigate stores and daily situations:

• この服はいくらですか？ (Kono fuku wa ikura desu ka?) – How much are these clothes?
• 試着してもいいですか？ (Shichaku shite mo ii desu ka?) – May I try this on?
• サイズはありますか？ (Saizu wa arimasu ka?) – Do you have my size?
• もう少し大きいのはありますか？ (Mou sukoshi ookii no wa arimasu ka?) – Do you have something a bit bigger?
• 色違いはありますか？ (Iro chigai wa arimasu ka?) – Do you have this in a different color?
• これにします。 (Kore ni shimasu.) – I'll take this one.
• 何を着ていけばいいですか？ (Nani wo kite ikeba ii desu ka?) – What should I wear?
• その服、似合っていますね。 (Sono fuku, niatte imasu ne.) – Those clothes look good on you.

Usage Notes

Understanding how to use Japanese words for clothing correctly requires knowledge of important verbs and cultural context:

• 着る (kiru) – Used for items worn on the upper body or full body (shirts, dresses, jackets, kimono)
• 履く (haku) – Used for items worn on the lower body and feet (pants, skirts, shoes, socks)
• かぶる (kaburu) – Used for items worn on the head (hats, caps)
• する/つける (suru/tsukeru) – Used for accessories (ties, belts, necklaces, earrings)
• 巻く (maku) – Used for items wrapped around the body (scarves, belts)
• はめる (hameru) – Used for items fitted onto hands (gloves, rings)

Many clothing words in Japanese are borrowed from English (外来語 / gairaigo), such as shatsu (shirt), sukaato (skirt), and kooto (coat). However, traditional items like kimono and yukata use native Japanese terms.

When shopping, sizes are often labeled as S, M, L, and LL (double L, equivalent to XL). Japanese sizing tends to run smaller than Western sizes.

Practice Sentences

Use these example sentences to practice Japanese words for clothing in context:

• 今日は何を着ますか？ (Kyou wa nani wo kimasu ka?) – What will you wear today?
• 黒いズボンと白いシャツを着ています。 (Kuroi zubon to shiroi shatsu wo kite imasu.) – I'm wearing black pants and a white shirt.
• この靴は少しきついです。 (Kono kutsu wa sukoshi kitsui desu.) – These shoes are a bit tight.
• 雨なので、コートを持っていきます。 (Ame na node, kooto wo motte ikimasu.) – It's raining, so I'll bring a coat.
• 彼女の着物はとても美しいです。 (Kanojo no kimono wa totemo utsukushii desu.) – Her kimono is very beautiful.
• セーターを脱いでもいいですか？ (Seetaa wo nuide mo ii desu ka?) – May I take off my sweater?
• 帽子と手袋を買いたいです。 (Boushi to tebukuro wo kaitai desu.) – I want to buy a hat and gloves.
• 日本でどんな服を買いましたか？ (Nihon de donna fuku wo kaimashita ka?) – What kind of clothes did you buy in Japan?