Translation guide
A small shop selling fashionable clothes, accessories, or specialty items. In Japanese, the loanword ブティック is common, but native terms like 専門店 or セレクトショップ may be more natural depending on context.
fashion boutique
specialty shop
A small shop selling stylish clothing, often high-end or designer items.
The direct loanword from French/English. Widely understood for fashion boutiques, especially those with a chic or European image.
The clothes at that boutique are always stylish.
Literally 'Western goods shop'. An older term for a boutique or clothing store, now somewhat dated.
A small shop specializing in a particular type of product, not necessarily fashion.
A small, stylish hotel with unique design or personalized service.
The direct loanword for 'boutique hotel'. Commonly used in travel contexts.
My dream is to stay at a boutique hotel in Kyoto.
A designer hotel, often used interchangeably with boutique hotel when emphasizing unique architecture or interior design.
I heard that boutique hotel has a different theme for each room.
ブティック often implies a single brand or designer, while セレクトショップ carries a curated, multi-brand image. In casual conversation, ブティック may sound slightly more upscale or European.
That store is more of a select shop than a boutique.
While ブティック is understood, it can sound like a direct translation. For non-fashion specialty shops, use 専門店 or describe the product type instead.
A shop that curates items from various brands, often with a distinct aesthetic. Common in Japanese fashion retail.
I found a cute dress at a select shop in Harajuku.
The boutique in front of the station is a long-established store.
She started a boutique selling handmade accessories.