制服
seifuku[se̞ːɸɯ̟̊kɯ̟]
The English word "uniform" can be translated into Japanese as 制服 (seifuku) or ユニフォーム.
Meaning: distinctive outfit as a means of identifying members of a group (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 制服 | seifuku | [se̞ːɸɯ̟̊kɯ̟] (narrow) |
| ユニフォーム | yunifōmu |
The term 制服 is a noun referring to a distinctive outfit used to identify members of a group. In Japan, it is most frequently associated with high school student attire.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 制服 (seifuku) is composed of 制 meaning control or rule and 服 meaning clothing.
Which one should you use?
制服 (seifuku) is typically used for institutional uniforms like school or police uniforms, whereas ユニフォーム (yunifōmu) is more commonly used for sports uniforms.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The form ユニフォーム is a loanword from English and serves as the standard term in the context of sports.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
seifuku
Did you know?
- In Japanese pop culture, the セーラー服 (seirā-fuku), or 'sailor suit', is the most iconic type of 制服 and is based on early 20th century British Royal Navy uniforms.
- The word 制服 is used in the phrase 制服ディズニー (seifuku Disney), where groups of friends wear matching school-style uniforms to Tokyo Disneyland as a fashion trend.
- In Japan, the 制服 is so culturally significant that some high schools design their own unique styles to attract students, treating the outfit as a brand identity for the school.
Examples in context
- 制服はあるの？Do you have a school uniform?This sentence is useful for asking if someone has a school uniform using 制服.Tatoeba #143310 by small_snow, translation #271257 by CK
- 制服を着なさい。Put on your uniform.This sentence is useful for telling someone to put on their uniform using 制服.Tatoeba #9034994 by small_snow, translation #9005995 by CK
- 制服を脱ぎなさい。Take off your uniform.This sentence is useful for telling someone to take off their uniform using 制服.Tatoeba #9034995 by small_snow, translation #9034989 by CK
- 今日の制服、かわいいね！Today's uniform is cute, isn't it?
- 11 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Misaki and Hiroto are talking about their new jobs.
- 美咲 Misaki新しい仕事の制服はかわいい？Atarashii shigoto no seifuku wa kawaii?Is the uniform for your new job cute?
- 大翔 Hirotoうん、シンプルなデザインだよ。Un, shinpuru na dezain dayo.Yeah, it's a simple design.
- 美咲 Misaki制服を着るのが楽しみだね。Seifuku o kiru no ga tanoshimi dane.You must be looking forward to wearing the uniform.
- 大翔 Hirotoそうだね、楽しみだよ。Sou dane, tanoshimi dayo.You're right, I am.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “uniform” translations and entries 制服, ユニフォーム, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
