Clothing in Japanese – Clothing and Accessories

In this article we are going to talk about clothes and accessories in Japanese. Don't think we're just going to memorize words. Japanese grammar can get a little tricky when it comes to wearing clothes.

clothing size in japan

Before we talk about the Japanese language, let's quickly remind you that Japan has its own clothing size standard. I will not delve into this subject, but I will leave a small table to help.

The conversion table below is usually the standard for Japanese clothing.

T-Shirt Conversion Table

SizeBustWaistHeightEuropeanEstados Unidos
S82 to 9072 to 80158 to 1653614
M87 to 9579 to 87158 to 1653815
L92 to 10086 to 94175 to 1854016

The following table is more accurate when it comes to women's clothing, but it also follows a unisex pattern:

Size in LetterJapanese numberbust (cm)Waist (cm)Hips (cm)
SS/XS375 to 7858 to 6281 to 84
S578 to 8162 to 6685 to 88
S782 to 8567 to 6989 to 92
M986 to 8870 to 7292 to 96
L1189 to 9272 to 7696 to 100
LL/XL1392 to 9677 to 80100 to 104
LLL/XXL1596 to 10277 to 80100 to 104
4L/3X17103 to 10689 to 93109 to 113
5L/4X19106 to 10993 to 97114 to 118
6L/4X2110 to 11598 to 101119 to 123

Remembering that we already have an article talking about the japanese breasts and bra sizes.

clothing and accessories vocabulary in japanese

PortugueseJapaneseRomaji
clothes衣服ifuku
clothing衣料品iryouhin
kimono着物kimono
swimwear/summer浴衣Strawhatz - Kimono
obiobi
(wooden) clogs下駄geta
glasses眼鏡megane
coatコートkoto
about everythingオーバーōbā
Tuxedoスーツsūtsu
walking suit背広tallow
raincoatレインコートreincarnation
jacket / winter clothes上着uwagi
underwear下着shitagi
underwear / panties / underwearパンツpantsu
braブラジャーburajā
Swimsuit水着mizugi
jacketジャケットjaketto
pajamasパジャマpajamas
sport jacketブレザーburezā
shirtブラウスburausu
dressドレスpainu
one piece dressワンピースwanpi-su
pantsズボンzubon
short pants半ズボンhanzubon
Bermudaショーツsho-tsu
pantsスラックスsurakkusu
jeansジーンズjīnzu
get outスカートsukāto
shirtシャツshatsu
T-shirtt-shirtt-shatsu
White shirtワイシャツwashatsu
sweaterセーターarrow
cardiganカーディガンkādigan
sweat shirt (coach)トレーナーtorēnā
hat Cap帽子boushi
earringイヤリングiyaringu
earrings / piercingピアスpiasu
necklaceネックレスnekkuresu
necktieネクタイnekutai
tissueスカーフsukāfu
ring指輪yubiwa
beltベルトberuto
shoeskutsu
socks靴下kutsushite
sneakersスニーカーsunīkā
flip-flopsスリッパsurippa
sandalsサンダルsandaru
high-heeled shoesハイヒールhaihīru
bootsブーツbūtsu

Wearing clothes in Japanese - Verb

In Japanese, there is not only the expression "I am dressing a shirt". The Japanese language is more specific when describing actions. So, there are several ways to tell you're wearing something.

Present Progressive / Continuous

There are 3 main ways to say you are wearing something in Japanese. The 3 ways are:

Romaji Kana / Kanjiused in clothes
Kite着てAbove the Waist
Haiti履いてBelow the Waist
KabutteかぶってIn the head

The 3 verbs mentioned above are in the Present Progressive which is used for an ongoing action, ongoing action and state of being. It is also used to express the same meaning as the English present perfect or present continuous.

Clothing - Japanese clothing and accessories

Simple Present / Indicative mood

Romaji (Informal / Formal)Kana / KanjiUse
Kiru / Kimasu着る / 着ますAbove the Waist
Haku / Hakimasu履く/ 履きますBelow the Waist
KaburimasuかぶりますIn the head

The simple present is also used to refer to someone who is wearing something, but expresses routine, everyday facts, etc. Like, he "wears" is "using" wearing "his"...

The indicative mood is for common, objective statements of fact. The present tense is used for incomplete habitual actions as well as for future intentions.

Clothing - Japanese clothing and accessories

The article is still halfway through, but we recommend also reading:

Other Verbs for Clothing

In addition to the 3 main ways to dress in Japanese, there are other verbs used for specific situations or accessories. Below is a list of words:

MeaningJapaneseRomaji
wear hat帽子をかぶるBoushi wo kaburu
Use glassesめがねをかけMegane wo kakeru
wear earringsイヤリングをつける Iyaringu wo tsukeru
wear tieネクタイを締 めるNekutai wo shimeru
use scarfスカーフを巻くSukaafu wo Maku
wear gloves手袋をはめる Tebukuro wo hameru
wear rings指輪をはめる Yubiwa wo hameru.
wear watches時計をする Tokei wo suru.
wear shirtシャツを着るShatsu wo kiru.
wear pantsズボンをはくZubon wo haku
wear shoes靴を履くKutsu wo haku
  • Kaburu - is used to put on the head;
  • Kakeru - also means "to hang";
  • Tsukeru - also means, "attach";
  • Shimeru - also means: "to tie";
  • Maku - also means "to wrap around";
  • Hameru - also means: "insert";
  • Kiru - is used to put on the body;
  • Haku - is used to put on the legs;

phrases about clothes in japanese

  • 彼は帽子をかぶっています
  • Kare wa boshi or kabutte imasu
  • He's wearing (putting on) a hat
  • 私はシャツを着ています
  • Watashi wa shatsu or kite imasu
  • I am wearing a shirt
  • 彼女はズボンを履いていません
  • Kanojo wa zubon o haite imasen
  • She is not wearing pants
  • 彼女はいつもこざっぱりした服を着ている。
  • Kanojo wa itsumo kozappari shita fuku or kite iru;
  • She is always well dressed (well groomed.)
  • 彼女はグリーンのドレスを着ていた。
  • Kanojo wa gurīn no dorsu o kiteita;
  • She wore a green dress;
  • 今日はスーツを着ています
  • Kyō wa sūtsu or kite imasu
  • Today I'm wearing a suit
  • 私は帽子をかぶります
  • Watashi wa boshi or kaburimasu
  • i am wearing a hat
  • この着物を着ませんか
  • Kono kimono or kimasen ka
  • You don't wear this kimono?
  • 休日に着る手頃な着物を今選んでいるところです。
  • Kyūjitsu ni kiru tegorona kimono o ima erande iru tokorodesu;
  • Now, I'm choosing suitable clothes to wear during the holidays;
  • 雨が降ったり雪が降ったりすると、私はいつもブーツを履きます。
  • Ame ga futtari yuki ga futtari suru to, watashi wa itsumo būtsu o hakimasu;
  • I always wear boots when it rains or snows;
  • その少年は運動靴を履くと、外へ走って出て行った。
  • Sono shōnen wa undō kutsuwohaku to, Soto e hashitte deteitta;
  • The boy put on the sneakers. and ran out;

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