Translation guide
A dress shirt is a formal button-up shirt, typically worn with a suit or in business settings. In Japanese, the most common term is ワイシャツ, but other terms exist depending on context.
The most common type of dress shirt, usually white or light-colored, worn with a suit and tie.
The standard Japanese word for a dress shirt. Derived from 'white shirt', but now refers to any color of dress shirt. Commonly used in business and formal contexts.
明日の会議のために新しいワイシャツを買った。
I bought a new dress shirt for tomorrow's meeting.
A direct loanword from English, used especially in fashion contexts or when distinguishing from casual shirts. Less common than ワイシャツ in everyday business conversation.
このドレスシャツはシルクでできている。
This dress shirt is made of silk.
A shirt worn with a tuxedo or formal evening wear, often with a pleated front or wing collar.
Specifically refers to a shirt designed to be worn with a tuxedo. Often has a pleated front and French cuffs.
結婚式でタキシードシャツを着た。
I wore a tuxedo shirt at the wedding.
A broader term for formal shirts, including tuxedo shirts and other high-formality dress shirts.
フォーマルシャツは普通のワイシャツより高い。
Formal shirts are more expensive than regular dress shirts.
Emphasizing that a shirt is formal, not a T-shirt or casual button-down.
A descriptive phrase meaning 'a proper/neat shirt'. Useful when you want to emphasize the formality without using a specific loanword.
パーティーにはきちんとしたシャツを着て行ってください。
Please wear a dress shirt to the party.
Literally 'a shirt that is not casual'. A roundabout way to specify a dress shirt, but not very natural in most situations.
面接ではカジュアルではないシャツを着るべきだ。
You should wear a dress shirt to the interview.
The literal translation 'ドレスシャツ' is understood but sounds like a fashion term. In everyday conversation, 'ワイシャツ' is the natural choice for a standard dress shirt.
In some regions (especially Kansai), 'カッターシャツ' is used instead of 'ワイシャツ'. However, 'ワイシャツ' is universally understood and safer for learners.
関西ではワイシャツのことをカッターシャツと言うことがある。
In Kansai, they sometimes call a dress shirt 'cutter shirt'.