Whether you’re interested in fashion, want to get clothes tailored, or simply want to expand your Japanese vocabulary, learning how to say “tailoring” in Japanese can be useful. In this guide, we’ll explore both formal and informal ways to express this term, as well as provide regional variations if necessary. Let’s get started!
Table of Contents
Formal Ways to Say Tailoring in Japanese
If you’re in a formal setting or need to use polite language, you can use the following terms to refer to tailoring:
- Seamstress: In formal Japanese, a seamstress is referred to as “shitateya” (仕立て屋). This term specifically denotes a professional who sews and alters garments.
- Tailor: “Shokunin” (職人) is the formal term for “tailor” in Japanese. This can be used to describe an expert skilled in the art of tailoring.
- Tailoring: In a formal context, “tailoring” can be expressed as “shitategi” (仕立て技), which emphasizes the craftsmanship involved in the process.
Informal Ways to Say Tailoring in Japanese
In more casual or everyday conversations, you can use these informal terms to talk about tailoring:
- Seamstress: In informal Japanese, a seamstress can be referred to as “shitatari” (仕立居), which is a more relaxed and colloquial term.
- Tailor: If you want to talk about a tailor casually, you can use the word “shiatsu-ya” (仕付屋), which has a similar meaning but is less formal.
- Tailoring: When discussing tailoring informally, you can simply use the word “shitategu” (仕立て具), which refers to the tools and techniques used in tailoring.
Regional Variations
While the terms mentioned above are commonly used throughout Japan, there might be regional variations that are worth exploring:
Osaka Dialect: In the Osaka dialect, the word for “tailor” is often pronounced as “shokunin-san” (職人さん). This regional variation adds the honorific suffix “-san” to show respect.
Keep in mind that these regional variations are not essential for everyday conversations, but they can add depth to your understanding of Japanese language and culture.
Tips and Examples
To help you further, here are some useful tips and examples to give you a better grasp of using these terms:
- Tip 1: When referring to a specific tailor or seamstress, you can add their name before the appropriate term. For example, “Tanaka-san no shitateya” means “Tanaka’s seamstress.”
- Tip 2: If you want to ask someone where a tailor is located, you can say, “Shitatsu-ya wa doko ni arimasu ka?” which translates to “Where is the tailor located?”
- Example 1: “Yasuko-san wa shitategi no meijin desu.” (Yasuko is a master of tailoring.)
- Example 2: “Watashi no o-kutsu o shokunin ni shitategatte moraimasu.” (I’m having my shoes tailored by a craftsman.)
- Note: Remember to tailor your language choice to fit the context, whether it’s formal or informal, and choose your words accordingly.
Now that you have a better understanding of how to say “tailoring” in Japanese, you can confidently engage in conversations about fashion, seamstresses, and tailors. Keep practicing and exploring the rich world of Japanese language and culture!
