Translation guide
Textile products sold by the piece or in cut lengths, typically from a bolt or roll, as opposed to ready-made garments.
The learner wants to refer to textiles sold in individual pieces or lengths, such as from a bolt in a fabric store.
The most common term for fabric sold in bolts or rolls, especially traditional kimono fabric. It refers to a standard length of cloth, typically about 12 meters for a kimono.
The learner wants to discuss piece goods as a category of merchandise in a business or trade context.
反物 specifically refers to a bolt or roll of fabric, often of a standard length for making a kimono. 生地 is a more general term for fabric and can refer to any cloth material, not necessarily sold as piece goods. If you are in a fabric store and want to buy a length of fabric, 生地 is perfectly fine, but if you want to emphasize the traditional bolt form, use 反物.
この反物は絹でできています。
This piece of fabric is made of silk.
反物を買って着物を仕立ててもらった。
I bought a bolt of fabric and had a kimono made.
General term for fabric or cloth, often used when referring to material for sewing. Can be used for piece goods in a broader sense.
この生地はメートル単位で売っています。
This fabric is sold by the meter.
Literally 'cut-sold cloth', this phrase explicitly describes fabric sold by the piece or cut length, often in a retail setting.
切り売りの布を買ってカーテンを作った。
I bought piece goods and made curtains.
Similar to 生地, but slightly more formal or technical. Refers to cloth or fabric, often in the context of piece goods.
布地の見本帳を見せてください。
Please show me the fabric swatch book.
In a commercial context, 反物 is the standard term for piece goods, especially in the textile industry.
この店では反物を専門に扱っています。
This store specializes in piece goods.
Means 'textile products' and can be used in a broader commercial sense to include piece goods.
織物製品の輸出が増えている。
Exports of textile products are increasing.