服
fuku[ɸɯ̟kɯ̟]
The English word 'clothes' can be said in Japanese using several terms, the default being 服 (fuku). Wiktionary also lists 衣服 (ifuku) and 衣類 (irui).
Meaning: apparel (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 服 | fuku | [ɸɯ̟kɯ̟] (narrow) |
| 衣服 | ifuku | [iɸɯ̟̊kɯ̟] (narrow) |
| 衣類 | irui | [iɾɯ̟i] (narrow) |
The terms are used to refer to apparel or clothing in general. If you wish to describe someone or something as fashionable, you can use the adjective oshare (na).
Which one should you use?
While 服 is the most common, everyday word for clothes used in conversation, 衣服 is a more formal, technical or literary term. 衣類 is typically used in commercial or industrial contexts, such as in retail categories or on clothing labels.
How does it change in a sentence?
Unlike English, the Japanese word for clothes does not change form for plural or singular usage.
How do you pronounce it?
fuku
What mistakes should you avoid?
Be careful not to confuse 服 (fuku, clothes) with 福 (fuku, good fortune/luck) because they are pronounced identically.
Did you know?
- In Japanese, 'wearing' changes completely depending on whether the 'clothes' are for your head, your torso, or your feet. You cannot use the same verb for all types of 服.
- In Japanese culture, the way someone wears their 服 can signal their social status or mood, and there is a specific concept called TPO (Time, Place, Occasion) that dictates which clothes are appropriate.
- The word 服 can also be used in the context of 'obedience' or 'submission' in certain formal compound words, moving far beyond the meaning of apparel.
Examples in context
- 服を着なさい。Put on your clothes.This sentence is useful for practicing the command to put on 服.Tatoeba #11720953 by bunbuku, translation #6681659 by CK
- 服が濡れてる。The clothes are wet.This sentence is useful for describing the state of 服.Tatoeba #12593323 by small_snow, translation #10141938 by ddnktr
- ケンは服を着た。Ken put on his clothes.This sentence is useful for describing the action of wearing 服.Tatoeba #225105 by bunbuku, translation #62440 by CN
- 彼はファッションに凝っている。He is really into fashion.
- 195 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Misaki and Yota are getting ready to go out.
- 美咲 Misaki陽太、どの服を着る？Yota, dono fuku o kiru?Yota, which clothes are you going to wear?
- 陽太 Yotaまだ迷ってるよ。Mada mayotteru yo.I'm still deciding.
- 美咲 Misakiその服、すごく似合ってるよ。Sono fuku, sugoku niatteru yo.Those clothes look great on you.
- 陽太 Yota本当？ありがとう！Honto? Arigato!Really? Thanks!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “clothes” translations and entries 服, 衣服, 衣類, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
