Japanese word

足袋

Pronunciation

Romajitabi

Meaning

  • nounsplit-toe socks

Example

冬に足袋を履きます。fuyu ni tabi o ha ki ma su

I wear split-toe socks in winter.

Illustration for 足袋 (split-toe socks)

More examples

和服に合わせて白い足袋を選びます。wa fuku ni a wa se te shiro i tabi o era bi ma su

I choose white split-toe socks to match my kimono.

Core concept

Refers to traditional Japanese footwear whose front divides the big toe from the remaining toes.

Common phrases

  • 足袋を履くtabi o ha ku

    wear split-toe socks

  • 足袋を脱ぐtabi o nu gu

    take off split-toe socks

Definition in Japanese

親指だけを他の指から分けて入れる袋状の履物。oya yubi da ke o hoka no yubi ka ra wa ke te i re ru fukuro jō no hakimono

Word origin

足袋 (tabi, "split-toe socks") is formed from 足 (ashi, "foot") and 袋 (fukuro, "bag"), while the origin of the reading たび (tabi) remains uncertain.

Usage tips

  • English fashion writing uses tabi for split-toe shoes and boots, so the word can describe footwear as well as the traditional socks.

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