Translation guide
The English verb "decorate" covers a range of actions from adding beauty to a space or object, to honoring someone with a medal. This guide organizes the most useful Japanese expressions by these distinct meanings.
To add ornaments, colors, or furnishings to a room, building, or area to make it look nicer, especially for a special occasion.
I decorated the room with flowers.
Let's decorate the Christmas tree.
A more formal term for decorating, often used for interior design, event spaces, or artistic ornamentation.
The venue was beautifully decorated.
Emphasizes the action of putting up decorations, often with a sense of thoroughness or festivity.
I decorated the room together with the children.
To make an object more attractive by adding patterns, colors, or small items to its surface.
To formally give someone a medal, ribbon, or honor as a sign of recognition for achievement or bravery.
To be used as a decoration; to add beauty just by being present.
飾る is the everyday verb for decorating anything from a room to a cake. 装飾する is more formal and often used for professional interior decoration or event styling. In casual conversation, stick with 飾る.
The loanword デコレートする exists but is mainly used in specific contexts like cake decorating (デコレーションケーキ). For general decorating, 飾る is much more natural.
ドレスにレースをあしらった。
The dress was decorated with lace.
He was decorated for his years of service.
花々が庭を彩っている。
Flowers decorate the garden.