裾

• Reading: すそ
• Romaji: suso
• Kanji breakdown: 裾 (kyo/suso) — hem, skirt, foot of a mountain
• Pronunciation: /sɯ.so/

Meaning

Hem; cuff; bottom edge of a garment. The lower edge of clothing such as trousers, skirts, or kimono.

A noun referring to the bottom portion of any garment. Also used figuratively for the base or foot of a mountain (山の裾, yama no suso — mountain skirt/foothills) and in the compound 裾野 (susono, foot of a mountain or the broad base of something). In fashion contexts, 裾上げ (susoage) means hemming or shortening trousers.

Examples

1. ズボンの裾が長すぎるので直してもらった。 The hem of the pants was too long, so I had them altered.
2. 雨の日はスカートの裾が濡れてしまう。 On rainy days, the hem of my skirt gets wet.
3. 着物の裾を引きずらないように気をつけた。 I was careful not to drag the hem of the kimono.

Usage Guide

Context: clothing, fashion, daily life

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From native Japanese. Originally described the trailing bottom of kimono robes, extended to all garment hems and metaphorically to the base of mountains.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal