靴
kutsu[kɯ̟̊t͡sɨ]
The Japanese word for shoes is kutsu (靴).
How does it change in a sentence?
When you want to say you are wearing shoes, you use the specific verb haku (履く) to indicate wearing something on the lower body or feet, as seen in the phrase 靴を履く (to wear shoes).
Did you know?
- There is an ongoing debate among linguists regarding whether kutsu is a relative of the Korean word 'gudu' (구두) or if the Korean word was actually borrowed from Japanese.
- In Japanese culture, wearing kutsu inside a home is often considered a major social faux pas. Most homes have a genkan entrance area where shoes must be removed before stepping up into the living space.
- The word kutsu is so ancient that it appears in the 'Man'yōshū', a collection of poetry compiled over 1,200 years ago.
Examples in context
- 私は新しい靴を買いました。I bought new shoes.
- 私が外出するためには、靴を履く必要があります。In order for me to go out, I need to wear shoes.
- 新しい靴を買ったよ！I bought new shoes!
- この靴はとても歩きやすいです。Kono kutsu wa totemo arukiyasui desu.These shoes are very easy to walk in.
- 玄関で靴を脱いでください。Genkan de kutsu o nuide kudasai.Please take off your shoes at the entrance.
Example conversation
Ren and Misaki are shopping at a shoe store.
- 蓮 Renこの靴、どう思う？Kono kutsu, dou omou?What do you think of these shoes?
- 美咲 Misaki蓮、デザインがとても素敵だよ。Ren, dezain ga totemo suteki da yo.Ren, the design is very lovely.
- 蓮 Renでも、少し高いかな。Demo, sukoshi takai kana.But, I wonder if they are a bit expensive.
- 美咲 Misaki自分へのご褒美に買えばいいよ。Jibun e no gohoubi ni kaeba ii yo.You should buy them as a treat for yourself.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 靴, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 靴, CC BY-SA 4.0.
