Translation guide
In English, 'drapery' can refer to cloth used for curtains, the arrangement of fabric in clothing or art, or a shop selling cloth. This guide covers how to express these concepts naturally in Japanese.
Cloth hung as curtains or decorative fabric, especially in a room.
The most common word for curtains in Japanese, used for both functional and decorative window coverings.
The way fabric hangs or is arranged in art, sculpture, or fashion.
A store that sells cloth or fabric.
A shop specializing in fabric for clothing. This is the closest equivalent to a 'drapery' or 'draper's shop'.
The English word 'drapery' covers several distinct concepts. Directly translating it as a single Japanese word will often sound unnatural. Choose the appropriate term based on whether you mean curtains, fabric arrangement, or a shop.
新しいカーテンを買いました。
I bought new curtains.
Heavy drapery hangs in that room.
Refers specifically to draped fabric, often with elegant folds. Used in interior design contexts.
Beautiful drapery hangs at the window.
Literally 'hanging cloth', a more descriptive term. Can be used for draped fabric in various settings, but less common than カーテン.
The altar was adorned with luxurious drapery.
Used in art and fashion to describe the arrangement of folds in fabric. Common in technical or artistic contexts.
The drapery of this sculpture is very realistic.
The drapery of the dress is beautiful.
Means 'pleats' or 'folds'. Can be used to describe the gathered or folded appearance of fabric, though it's more specific than 'drapery'.
The drapery of the skirt falls nicely.
A traditional term for the depiction of clothing folds in Japanese art, especially in sculpture and painting.
The flow of the drapery on the Buddha statue is elegant.
I found good fabric at that drapery.
A more casual term for a fabric store. Commonly used in everyday conversation.
I bought fabric for curtains at the drapery.
Traditionally a shop selling kimono fabric and accessories. Can be used for a drapery in a historical or traditional context.
Choosing fabric at a long-established drapery.