Translation guide
A bow tie is a type of necktie tied in a bow. In Japanese, the most common word is 蝶ネクタイ (chou nekutai), literally 'butterfly necktie'. There are also specific terms for pre-tied vs. self-tie styles, and the English loanword ボウタイ (bou tai) is sometimes used.
The most common, everyday word for a bow tie, regardless of style.
The standard Japanese word for 'bow tie'. Literally 'butterfly necktie'. Used in both formal and casual contexts.
彼は蝶ネクタイを締めている。
He is wearing a bow tie.
結婚式には蝶ネクタイを着用してください。
Please wear a bow tie to the wedding.
Loanword from English 'bow tie'. Less common than 蝶ネクタイ, but understood. Often used in fashion contexts.
このボウタイはシルク製です。
This bow tie is made of silk.
A bow tie that is already tied and attached with a clip or adjustable band.
Clip-on bow tie. The most common type for children or rental tuxedos.
子供用のクリップ式蝶ネクタイを買った。
I bought a clip-on bow tie for my child.
Adjustable bow tie with a band that can be resized. Often pre-tied.
アジャスタブル蝶ネクタイならサイズ調整が簡単です。
An adjustable bow tie makes size adjustment easy.
A bow tie that you tie yourself, like a regular necktie.
Literally 'tie-type bow tie'. Used to distinguish from pre-tied versions.
本格的な蝶ネクタイは結ぶタイプです。
A genuine bow tie is the self-tie type.
From 'self-tie'. Used in fashion retail to specify a bow tie that requires tying.
セルフタイ蝶ネクタイの結び方を教えてください。
Please teach me how to tie a self-tie bow tie.
The pasta shape resembling a bow tie, known as farfalle in Italian.
The Italian name used in Japanese for farfalle pasta. Often described as 蝶ネクタイの形 (bow-tie shaped).
ファルファッレは蝶ネクタイの形をしたパスタです。
Farfalle is a bow-tie-shaped pasta.
Descriptive term, literally 'bow tie pasta'. Used in casual conversation or recipes.
蝶ネクタイパスタをサラダに入れましょう。
Let's put bow tie pasta in the salad.
蝶ネクタイ is the default, natural word in almost all situations. ボウタイ is a loanword that may sound slightly more fashionable or Western, but it is less common. Stick with 蝶ネクタイ unless you are in a very specific fashion context.
蝶ネクタイ specifically means 'bow tie', while ネクタイ means 'necktie' (the long, straight kind). Do not confuse them. If you just say ネクタイ, people will assume a regular tie.