スリッパ
surippa[sɨɾʲip̚pa̠]
The Japanese word for "slipper" is スリッパ (surippa).
スリッパ refers to a low shoe typically worn indoors. In Japan, these are primarily used as indoor footwear to prevent bringing dirt from the street into a house or school.
Meaning: low shoe usually worn indoors (noun)
Which one should you use?
While スリッパ is a general term for indoor slippers, the word 上履き (uwabaki) specifically refers to the standardized indoor shoes worn by students in Japanese schools.
How do you pronounce it?
surippa
Did you know?
- In Japanese homes, it is common to have dedicated 'toilet slippers' used only in the restroom. Stepping back into the living room while still wearing these is considered a major social faux pas.
- Because スリッパ is a loanword from English, it is written in Katakana rather than the more common Kanji or Hiragana used for native Japanese words.
- If you are wearing スリッパ in a Japanese house, you must be careful not to step from a raised floor area onto a tatami mat, as your footwear might damage the straw.
Examples in context
- すみません、上履きをお借りできますか？
はい、どうぞ。こちらが上履きです。
ありがとうございます。Excuse me, may I borrow slippers?
Yes, here they are.
Thank you. - スリッパを貸してもらえる？
ああ、そこにあるよ。
ありがとう。Can I borrow slippers?
Yeah, they're over there.
Thank you. - 新しいスリッパを買いました。Atarashii surippa o kaimashita.I bought new slippers.
- 玄関にスリッパがあります。Genkan ni surippa ga arimasu.There are slippers in the entrance.
- このスリッパはとても柔らかいです。Kono surippa wa totemo yawarakai desu.These slippers are very soft.
Example conversation
Misaki is welcoming Daisho into her home.
- 美咲 Misaki大翔くん、どうぞ。スリッパ履いてね。Daisho-kun, douzo. Surippa haite ne.Please come in, Daisho. Put on the slippers.
- 大翔 Hirotoありがとう。いいスリッパだね。Arigatou. Ii surippa da ne.Thanks. These are nice slippers.
- 美咲 Misakiよかった。サイズは大丈夫？Yokatta. Saizu wa daijoubu?I'm glad. Is the size okay?
- 大翔 Hirotoうん、ぴったりだよ。Un, pittari dayo.Yeah, they fit perfectly.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “slipper” translations and entries スリッパ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
