Japanese word

衣服

Pronunciation

Romajiifuku

Meaning

  • nounclothes

Example

季節に合う衣服を選びます。ki setsu ni a u i fuku o era bi ma su

I choose clothes that suit the season.

Illustration for 衣服 (clothes)

More examples

冬は暖かい衣服を着ます。fuyu wa atata ka i i fuku o ki ma su

I wear warm clothes in winter.

この店では衣服の種類が豊富です。ko no mise de wa i fuku no shu rui ga hō fu de su

This store has a wide variety of clothes.

Core concept

Covers the full range of items worn on the body, viewed as a category rather than as one specific item.

Common phrases

  • 衣服を着るi fuku o ki ru

    wear clothes

  • 衣服を脱ぐi fuku o nu gu

    take off clothes

  • 衣服を洗うi fuku o ara u

    wash clothes

  • 衣服をたたむi fuku o ta ta mu

    fold clothes

  • 衣服を選ぶi fuku o era bu

    choose clothes

Similar words

服fuku: Everyday garments worn on the body, often referring to what someone wears.
衣類irui: Clothing treated as a broad group of garments in formal or written language.

Definition in Japanese

身に着けて用いる衣類の総称。mi ni tsu ke te mochi i ru i rui no sō shō

Word origin

The Sino-Japanese compound 衣服 (ifuku, "clothing") combines 衣 (i, "clothing") and 服 (fuku, "clothing or dress").

Usage tips

  • English usually uses clothes in everyday speech, while this Japanese term has a more formal or written feel and refers to clothing as a general category.

Word lists with this word