Translation guide
A covering or ornament for the head, ranging from practical caps to ceremonial headgear. Japanese distinguishes many types by function, formality, and cultural context.
The most common everyday meaning: any item worn on the head for protection, warmth, or fashion.
The general word for hat or cap. Covers most everyday headwear.
I put on a hat because it was cold.
He always wears a baseball cap.
Specifically a cap with a visor, like a baseball cap.
That cap is on backwards.
A hat with a brim all around, often more stylish or formal.
She was wearing a straw hat.
Headdresses specific to Japanese culture, such as those worn with kimono or by brides.
Ornamental hairpin, often part of traditional female hairstyles. Not a full head covering but a decorative headdress element.
The bride wore a beautiful ornamental hairpin.
A white hood-like headdress worn by a bride in a traditional Shinto wedding, symbolizing hiding the 'horns' of jealousy.
A black lacquered cap worn by male courtiers in ancient times, now seen mainly in ceremonies or historical contexts.
Headdresses used in religious, military, or formal ceremonies, often with symbolic meaning.
A crown or coronet, often used for royalty or in traditional ceremonies.
The king wore a heavy crown.
Loanword for a decorative headdress, often used in fashion or costume contexts.
Samurai helmet, a type of armored headdress. Now seen in festivals or displays.
Specific headgear worn as part of a uniform, such as a nurse's cap or a chef's hat.
Use かぶる (kaburu) for putting on or wearing something on the head, like hats, caps, and helmets. For decorative items like hairpins or headbands, use つける (tsukeru) or 着ける (tsukeru). For traditional bridal headdresses, 着ける is common.
The English word 'headdress' is broad and can sound unnatural if directly translated into Japanese. Instead, specify the type of headgear (hat, cap, crown, hair ornament) based on context.
式の間、花嫁は角隠しを着けていた。
During the ceremony, the bride wore a tsunokakushi.
The Shinto priest wore an eboshi.
She wore a feather headdress at the party.
An old samurai helmet was displayed in the museum.