Translation and Meaning of: 服 - fuku

The word 「服」(fuku) is commonly used in modern Japanese to refer to "clothes" or "garment." This term is an important component of everyday Japanese vocabulary, reflecting not only practical aspects of daily life but also deep cultural and social elements. The writing consists of the Kanji 「服」, which is read as "ふく" (fuku) in hiragana.

The etymology of 「服」 traces back to Chinese roots, as the Kanji was originally imported from Chinese to Japanese along with many other characters. The Kanji 「服」 is composed of the radicals 「月」 (meat) on the left and 「卩」 (bent knee), originally suggesting "to yield" or "to obey," hinting at the idea of adjusting or adapting to the body, as clothing does. This meaning evolved, later coming to denote clothing, emphasizing the symbiotic relationship between the garment and the wearer.

Interestingly, the word 「服」 also appears in various combinations and expressions in Japanese. For example, 「制服」(seifuku) refers to "uniform," a piece of clothing closely associated with Japanese school culture. Another popular expression is 「洋服」 (youfuku), which refers to "Western" clothing, showing the cultural distinction and Western influence on Japanese fashion. Additionally, 「和服」 (wafuku) refers to traditional Japanese clothing, such as the kimono.

Curiosidades Culturais

  • Kimono and Yukata: The 「和服」 includes traditional clothing such as the kimono and the yukata, using fabrics and patterns that often carry deep cultural and aesthetic meanings.
  • Western Influence: The category 「洋服」 represents the changes in fashion and lifestyle following Japan's opening to Western influences in the 19th century.

In conclusion, the use of 「服」 in Japan is an intrinsic reflection of traditions, innovations, and the constant evolution of fashion in both public and private spheres. The Japanese language, through its words and expressions, reveals how clothing is not only utilitarian but also symbolizes the identity, mood, and social function of the wearer.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

  • 衣服 (ifuku) - clothes
  • きもの (kimono) - Traditional Japanese clothing
  • ワンピース (wanpiisu) - dress
  • ジャケット (jaketto) - jacket
  • シャツ (shatsu) - T-shirt or shirt
  • パンツ (pantsu) - Pants or underwear depending on the context
  • スカート (sukaato) - get out
  • ブラウス (burausu) - Blouse or women's shirt
  • コート (kooto) - coat
  • セーター (seetaa) - Sweater

Related words

和服

wafuku

Japanese clothes

洋服

youfuku

western style clothes

不服

fufuku

dissatisfaction; discontent; disapproval; objection; complaint; protest; disagreement

服装

fukusou

clothes

制服

seifuku

uniform

征服

seifuku

conquest; subjugation; overcoming

克服

kokufuku

subjugation; conquest

軍服

gunpuku

military or naval uniform

衣服

ifuku

clothes

ハンガー

hanga-

hangar; (coat) hanger; hunger

Romaji: fuku
Kana: ふく
Type: Noun
L: jlpt-n5

Translation / Meaning: clothes

Meaning in English: clothes

Definition: Clothes to wear.

Quick Access
- Vocabulary
- Writing
- Sentences

How to Write in Japanese - (服) fuku

See below a step-by-step guide on how to write the word by hand in Japanese. (服) fuku:

Example Sentences - (服) fuku

See below some example sentences:

私は洋服が好きです。

Watashi wa youfuku ga suki desu

I like western clothes.

I like clothes.

  • 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
  • は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "I"
  • 洋服 (youfuku) - noun meaning "Western clothing"
  • が (ga) - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence, in this case, "western clothing"
  • 好き (suki) - The adjective that means "to like" is "gostoso" or "agradável."
  • です (desu) - linking verb that indicates the formality of the sentence
私は新しい衣服を買いたいです。

Watashi wa atarashii ifuku o kaitai desu

I want to buy new clothes.

  • 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
  • は (wa) - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
  • 新しい (atarashii) - adjective meaning "new"
  • 衣服 (ifuku) - The noun that means "clothing" is "服" (ふく, fuku) in Japanese.
  • を (wo) - Particle indicating the direct object of the sentence
  • 買いたい (kaitai) - verb in the desejative form meaning "to want to buy"
  • です (desu) - auxiliary verb indicating the formality of the sentence
私は新しい服を買いたいです。

Watashi wa atarashii fuku o kaitai desu

I want to buy new clothes.

  • 私 - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
  • は - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence, in this case "I"
  • 新しい - 新しい (atarashii)
  • 服 - Japanese noun that means "clothing"
  • を - direct object particle that indicates the object of the action, in this case "clothes"
  • 買いたい - Japanese verb that means "to want to buy"
  • です - Japanese auxiliary verb that indicates the polite form of the sentence.
私は今日着る服を決めていない。

Watashi wa kyō kiru fuku o kimete inai

I still haven't decided what outfit to wear today.

I haven't decided on the clothes I wear today.

  • 私 - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
  • は - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
  • 今日 - Japanese adverb that means "today"
  • 着る - Japanese verb meaning "to put on"
  • 服 - Japanese noun that means "clothing"
  • を - direct object particle indicating the object of the action
  • 決めていない - Japanese verb conjugated in the negative meaning "not to have decided"
私は彼女の服装がとても素敵だと思います。

Watashi wa kanojo no fukusō ga totemo suteki da to omoimasu

I think her clothes are very beautiful.

I think her clothes are really cool.

  • 私 - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
  • は - Japanese particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "I"
  • 彼女 - Japanese noun meaning "she"
  • の - Japanese particle that indicates possession, in this case, "hers."
  • 服装 - Japanese noun meaning "clothing" or "clothes"
  • が - Japanese particle that indicates the subject of the sentence, in this case, "clothing"
  • とても - Japanese adverb that means "very"
  • 素敵 - Japanese adjective meaning "beautiful" or "cool"
  • だ - Japanese verb that indicates the existence or identity of the subject, in this case, "is"
  • と - Japanese particle that indicates a direct quotation of what was said or thought, in this case, "to think"
  • 思います - Japanese verb that means "to think" or "to believe"
見っともない服を着ている。

Mittomonai fuku wo kiteiru

I'm wearing very ugly clothes.

I'm wearing clothes I can't see.

  • 見っともない - means "unpleasant" or "ugly".
  • 服 - means "clothing".
  • を - particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence.
  • 着ている - continuous form of the verb 着る (kiru), which means "to wear".

Other Words of this Type: Noun

See other words from our dictionary that are also: Noun

服