Japanese word

着物

Pronunciation

Romajikimono

Meaning

  • nounkimono

Example

私は着物を着ます。watashi wa ki mono o ki ma su

I wear a kimono.

Illustration for 着物 (kimono)

More examples

祭りには着物で行きます。matsu ri ni wa ki mono de i ki ma su

I go to the festival in a kimono.

Core concept

Describes a traditional Japanese garment whose cloth is wrapped around the wearer and held in place rather than shaped closely to the body.

Common phrases

  • 着物を着るki mono o ki ru

    wear a kimono

  • 着物を脱ぐki mono o nu gu

    take off a kimono

Similar words

和服wafuku: Traditional Japanese dress that covers a range of garments and styles.

Definition in Japanese

前身頃を重ねて帯で固定する、日本の伝統的な衣服。mae mi goro o kasa ne te obi de ko tei su ru nihon no den tō teki na i fuku

Word origin

着物 (kimono) is formed from 着る (kiru, "to wear") and 物 (mono, "thing"), so its original structure means "a thing to wear"; the word now commonly denotes traditional Japanese dress.

Usage tips

  • The English word kimono is familiar outside Japan and sometimes describes robe-like modern clothing, but Japanese 着物 (kimono) names a traditional form of dress.

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