Translation guide
In Japanese, 'formal dress' can refer to specific types of formal attire depending on the occasion, such as Western-style formal wear, traditional Japanese clothing, or dress codes for events. The most common terms are フォーマルドレス for Western-style dresses and 礼服 for general formal wear.
A formal dress in Western fashion, such as an evening gown or cocktail dress.
The most direct and common term for a Western-style formal dress, used for events like parties, weddings, and ceremonies.
パーティーにフォーマルドレスを着ていった。
I wore a formal dress to the party.
Specifically an evening dress, often floor-length and for very formal occasions.
彼女は美しいイブニングドレスを着ていた。
She was wearing a beautiful evening dress.
General word for dress, but in context can mean a formal dress. Often used with modifiers like パーティードレス.
結婚式にはどんなドレスを着ればいいですか？
What kind of dress should I wear to the wedding?
Formal clothing in general, not limited to dresses; can include suits and other formal wear.
General term for formal wear, including suits, dresses, and traditional attire. Often used for ceremonies and official events.
葬儀には礼服を着用してください。
Please wear formal attire to the funeral.
Loanword for formal wear, used in fashion contexts or dress codes.
Formal dress or full dress, often used in invitations or dress codes. Can refer to the act of dressing formally.
Formal Japanese clothing such as kimono or hakama.
Kimono, the traditional Japanese garment. In formal contexts, it refers to high-quality silk kimono with appropriate patterns.
成人式には多くの女性が着物を着ます。
Many women wear kimono for the Coming of Age ceremony.
Long-sleeved kimono worn by unmarried women for formal occasions like weddings and ceremonies.
Formal Japanese attire for men, consisting of a crested kimono and hakama, worn at ceremonies like weddings.
新郎は紋付き袴を着ていた。
The groom was wearing a montsuki hakama.
Referring to the required level of formality in clothing for an event.
Common phrase meaning 'dress code is formal'. Used in invitations or event descriptions.
服装はフォーマルでお願いします。
Please dress formally.
Phrase meaning 'please come in informal dress', often used to indicate that formal attire is not required. Useful for contrast.
パーティーは平服でお越しください。
Please come to the party in casual dress.
礼服 is a broad term for formal wear including suits and traditional attire, while フォーマルドレス specifically refers to Western-style formal dresses for women. Use 礼服 for general formal dress codes or when gender is unspecified.
While 正式なドレス is understandable, it sounds unnatural. Use フォーマルドレス or 礼服 instead.
Formal wear is required tonight.
パーティーは正装でお越しください。
Please come to the party in formal dress.
友達の結婚式で振袖を着ました。
I wore a furisode to my friend's wedding.