Translation guide
The English word "pattern" covers a wide range of meanings, from physical designs and templates to abstract regularities and models. This guide breaks down the most useful Japanese equivalents for English-speaking learners, organized by practical meaning.
Referring to a visual design made of repeated shapes, lines, or colors, such as on fabric, wallpaper, or art.
The most common and general word for a decorative pattern or design on a surface. Used for textiles, ceramics, wallpaper, etc.
この着物の模様はとても美しい。
The pattern on this kimono is very beautiful.
壁紙に花の模様が入っている。
The wallpaper has a floral pattern.
Often interchangeable with 模様, but slightly more casual and commonly used for patterns on clothing, fabric, or everyday items.
水玉の柄のスカートが欲しい。
I want a polka-dot patterned skirt.
A more formal or traditional term for pattern, often used in art history, traditional crafts, or heraldry.
この文様は江戸時代から伝わるものです。
This pattern has been handed down since the Edo period.
A physical or digital guide used to cut, shape, or reproduce something, like a sewing pattern or a stencil.
Specifically a paper pattern or stencil used in sewing, crafts, or manufacturing.
型紙を使って布を切ります。
Cut the fabric using the pattern.
Loanword from English, commonly used for sewing patterns, knitting patterns, or design templates in a modern context.
A model, template, or prototype, often used in a more abstract sense for forms or standard examples, like document templates.
A repeated sequence of events, behavior, or natural phenomena; a regularity.
The most common and versatile word for abstract patterns of behavior, events, or data. Widely used in everyday and technical contexts.
彼の行動には一定のパターンがある。
There is a certain pattern to his behavior.
天気のパターンが変わってきている。
Weather patterns are changing.
Means 'tendency' or 'trend', often used when a pattern is not strictly regular but shows a general direction or inclination.
Emphasizes the existence of a rule or regularity, often used in scientific or mathematical contexts.
The way things are placed or spread out in space, like a pattern of settlement or a pattern of dots.
Used for spatial distribution patterns, such as population, plants, or stars.
この地域の人口分布は不均等だ。
The population pattern in this area is uneven.
Refers to the arrangement or layout of objects, often with a sense of intentional placement.
Something regarded as a typical example or a standard to be imitated; a pattern of behavior or a role model.
A model or example to follow, often in learning a skill, behavior, or moral conduct.
彼は若い選手の良い手本だ。
He is a good pattern for young players.
A model or exemplar, often used in moral or ideal contexts, like 'model student'.
Sometimes used for a standard pattern or formula to follow, especially in creative or business contexts.
A regular structure or form in language, such as a sentence pattern or verb conjugation pattern.
Sentence pattern; a standard grammatical structure.
日本語の基本文型を練習する。
Practice basic Japanese sentence patterns.
Commonly used in language learning contexts for any recurring pattern.
模様 is the safest, most general word for any decorative pattern. 柄 is very common for clothing and everyday items, and feels slightly more casual. パターン is a loanword often used for modern or Western-style designs, or when referring to a repeated motif in a technical sense. In many cases, 模様 and 柄 are interchangeable, but 模様 can sound a bit more formal or traditional.
While パターン is widely understood, using it for traditional Japanese patterns (like on kimono) can sound unnatural. Stick to 模様 or 柄 for those contexts.
このパターンでワンピースを作った。
I made a dress using this pattern.
契約書の雛形をダウンロードできます。
You can download a template for the contract.
最近の消費者の購買傾向を分析する。
Analyze recent consumer purchasing patterns.
この数列には規則性が見られない。
No pattern can be seen in this number sequence.
Changing the pattern of furniture arrangement makes the room feel larger.
She is a model student.
成功するパターンは決まっている。
There is a set pattern for success.
動詞の活用パターンを覚える。
Memorize verb conjugation patterns.