着物

• Reading: きもの
• Romaji: kimono
• Kanji breakdown: 着 (ki/chaku/tsu) — wear, arrive; 物 (mono/butsu/motsu) — thing, object
• Pronunciation: /ki.mo.no/

Meaning

Kimono; Japanese traditional dress. A full-length robe worn with an obi sash.

A noun with two meanings: broadly, any clothing (the literal meaning of the characters), and specifically, the traditional Japanese garment. In modern usage, 着物 almost always refers to the traditional garment, while 服 (fuku) or 洋服 (youfuku) is used for everyday clothing. Worn at 成人式 (Coming of Age Day), weddings, and festivals.

Examples

1. お正月に着物を着ました。 I wore a kimono on New Year's Day.
2. 祖母は着物の着方を教えてくれた。 My grandmother taught me how to put on a kimono.
3. 京都で着物をレンタルして散歩した。 I rented a kimono in Kyoto and went for a walk.

Usage Guide

Context: culture, festivals, fashion

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Compound of 着 (wear, arrive) and 物 (thing). Literally means a thing to wear — clothing. Over time the meaning narrowed to specifically denote traditional Japanese dress.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal