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.
The most common and general verb for decorating a space or object. Transitive.
部屋を花で飾った。
I decorated the room with flowers.
クリスマスツリーを飾ろう。
Let's decorate the Christmas tree.
A more formal term for decorating, often used for interior design, event spaces, or artistic ornamentation.
会場は美しく装飾されていた。
The venue was beautifully decorated.
Emphasizes the action of putting up decorations, often with a sense of thoroughness or festivity.
子供たちと一緒に部屋を飾り付けた。
I decorated the room together with the children.
To make an object more attractive by adding patterns, colors, or small items to its surface.
Works for objects as well as spaces. Can be used for cakes, crafts, etc.
ケーキをイチゴで飾った。
I decorated the cake with strawberries.
To tastefully arrange or add a decorative touch, often used in design or fashion contexts.
To formally give someone a medal, ribbon, or honor as a sign of recognition for achievement or bravery.
The standard verb for awarding medals, honors, or prizes. Often used in passive form for the recipient.
彼は勲章を授与された。
He was decorated with a medal.
Specifically means to confer a decoration or order, used in official contexts.
長年の功績により叙勲された。
He was decorated for his years of service.
To be used as a decoration; to add beauty just by being present.
Can be used intransitively with the particle に to mean 'serves as decoration'.
その絵は壁を飾っている。
The painting decorates the wall.
To add color or beauty to something, often used poetically for landscapes or scenes.
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.
花々が庭を彩っている。
Flowers decorate the garden.