Japanese word

私服

Pronunciation

Romajishifuku

Meaning

  • nouncasual wear

Example

休日は私服で過ごします。kyū jitsu wa shi fuku de su go shi ma su

I spend my days off in casual wear.

Illustration for 私服 (casual wear)

More examples

学校行事の日は、私服ではなく制服を着ます。gak kō gyō ji no hi wa shi fuku de wa na ku sei fuku o ki ma su

On school event days, I wear a uniform instead of casual clothes.

Core concept

Describes clothing worn in personal life instead of a uniform or work outfit.

Common phrases

  • 私服を着るshi fuku o ki ru

    wear casual clothes

  • 私服に着替えるshi fuku ni ki ga e ru

    change into casual clothes

  • 私服で出かけるshi fuku de de ka ke ru

    go out in casual clothes

  • 私服で過ごすshi fuku de su go su

    spend time in casual clothes

Similar words

普段着fudangi: Clothing worn regularly in everyday personal life.
平服heifuku: Clothing worn for ordinary occasions when formal dress is not required.
街着machigi: Clothing suitable for ordinary outings in town.

Definition in Japanese

制服や仕事着ではなく、個人が普段の生活で着る衣服。sei fuku ya shi goto gi de wa na ku ko jin ga fu dan no sei katsu de ki ru i fuku

Word origin

私服 (shifuku) combines 私 (shi, "private") and 服 (fuku, "clothing"), giving the sense of clothing for personal life rather than official wear.

Usage tips

  • The phrase 私服警官 (shifuku keikan) means a police officer in plain clothes, showing that 私服 (shifuku) can contrast with a uniform rather than simply mean relaxed clothing.

Other meanings

  • civilian clothesnoun
  • plain clothesnoun

Opposites

Word lists with this word