靴下

• Reading: くつした
• Romaji: kutsushita
• Kanji breakdown: 靴 (kutsu) — shoes; 下 (shita/ka) — under, below
• Pronunciation: /kɯ.tsɯ.ɕi.ta/

Meaning

Socks; stockings. Garments worn on the feet under shoes.

A compound word literally meaning 'under shoes' (靴 shoes + 下 under/below). Covers all types: short socks, knee-high socks, stockings. Counted using 足 (soku) for pairs or 枚 (mai) for individual socks. Like shoes and trousers, socks use the verb はく (to put on).

Examples

1. 白い靴下をはいています。 I'm wearing white socks.
2. 靴下に穴があいています。 There's a hole in my sock.
3. 毎日きれいな靴下をはきましょう。 Let's wear clean socks every day.

Usage Guide

Context: daily life, laundry, getting dressed

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

A descriptive compound: 靴 (kutsu, shoes) + 下 (shita, under/below). The word literally describes the garment worn underneath shoes, a straightforward and intuitive naming.

Cultural Context

Era: Meiji

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal