普段着

• Reading: ふだんぎ
• Romaji: fudangi
• Kanji breakdown: 普 (fu) — general, universal; 段 (dan) — step, level; 着 (gi) — wear, clothing
• Pronunciation: /ɸɯ.daɴ.ɡi/

Meaning

Everyday clothes; casual wear; informal dress. Clothing worn in daily life as opposed to formal attire.

A noun combining 普段 (fudan, usual/everyday) with 着 (gi, clothing/wearing). Contrasts with 正装 (seisou, formal attire) or よそ行き (yosoyuki, going-out clothes). Reflects the Japanese cultural distinction between everyday and occasion-specific clothing. In modern usage, often discussed in the context of fashion, workplace dress codes, and the trend toward casual dressing.

Examples

1. 休みの日は普段着でのんびり過ごす。 On my days off, I like to relax in my everyday clothes.
2. その店は普段着で入れるカジュアルなレストランだ。 That restaurant is a casual place where you can come in everyday clothes.
3. 普段着のままパーティーに行ってしまった。 I accidentally showed up to the party in my everyday clothes.

Usage Guide

Context: fashion, daily life, dress codes

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From Japanese: 普段 (fudan, ordinary/everyday) + 着 (gi, clothing — the on'yomi reading used in clothing compounds like 着物, 浴衣). Literally 'ordinary wear.'

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal