Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| スタイル | sutairu | [sɨ̥ta̠iɾɯ̟] (narrow) |
| やり方 | yarikata | [ja̠ɾʲika̠ta̠] (narrow) |
| 様式 | yōshiki | [jo̞ːɕikʲi] (narrow) |
スタイル (sutairu) is a loanword and is the most common way to express the concept of style in Japanese. It is a versatile term that can refer to personal fashion or a lifestyle. For more specific contexts, other words are used: 作風 (sakufū) refers specifically to artistic styles in fields like painting or literature, while 型 (kata) can describe a specific mold, form or pattern. To describe someone as being stylish, the borrowed word スタイリッシュ (sutairisshu) is widely used by young people, whereas おしゃれ (oshare) is used to express being fashionable or having style. If you are referring to someone's appearance or look, you might use 格好 (kakkō).
Which one should you use?
While スタイル (sutairu) refers to an aesthetic or personal style, やり方 (yarikata) is used to describe a practical method or the way of performing a task. 様式 (yōshiki) is a formal term used specifically for established artistic, architectural or historical styles, whereas スタイル (sutairu) is more versatile and can refer to personal fashion or lifestyle.
How do you pronounce it?
sutairu
Did you know?
- In Japanese, if you describe a person as having a 'good スタイル' (sutairu), you are actually complimenting their physical proportions and saying they are slim or tall, rather than their fashion sense.
- Japanese has a specific concept called 粋 (iki), an urban aesthetic of 'effortless style' and sophisticated detachment that cannot be fully translated by スタイル.
- The word 型 (kata) refers to highly stylized, choreographed patterns of movement in traditional Japanese arts like martial arts or tea ceremonies.
Examples in context
- そのスタイル、個性的でいいと思うよ。I like your style. It's unique.This sentence is useful for expressing a personal opinion about someone's style using スタイル.Tatoeba #11029592 by small_snow, translation #10988000 by DJ_Saidez
- それぞれのスタイルがあるんだろうね。Everyone has their own style.This sentence is useful for stating that everyone possesses their own style using スタイル.Tatoeba #1217565 by mookeee, translation #1302682 by CK
- 大聖堂は西の扉にロマネスク様式の名残があり、半円状のアーチを見ることができる。There are traces of Romanesque style at the west gate of the cathedral, such as a semi-circular arch.This sentence is useful for describing architectural styles using 様式.Tatoeba #1106325 by mookeee, translation #9979872 by tsp_2
- 彼女のファッションスタイルはモダンですHer fashion style is modern
- 彼の作風は独特で詩的だHis artistic style is unique and poetic
- 彼のファッションはスタイリッシュだねHis fashion is stylish, isn't it?
- このカフェはおしゃれで居心地がいいThis cafe is stylish and cozy
- 東京の若者はお洒落を気にするYoung people in Tokyo care about style
Example conversation
Two friends are looking at modern art in a museum.
- 大翔 Hirotoこの絵のスタイル、すごく独特だね。Kono e no sutairu, sugoku dokutoku dane.The style of this painting is very unique, isn't it?
- 結衣 Yui本当だね。色の使い方が面白い。Hontou dane. Iro no tsukaikata ga omoshiroi.It really is. The way the colors are used is interesting.
- 大翔 Hiroto結衣は、こういうスタイルが好き？Yui wa, kou iu sutairu ga suki?Yui, do you like this kind of style?
- 結衣 Yuiうん、私はすごく好きだよ。Un, watashi wa sugoku suki dayo.Yes, I like it very much.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “style” translations and entries スタイル, やり方, 様式, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
