Translation guide
Refers to wearing ordinary, non-uniform clothing, especially when one would normally wear a uniform (e.g., police, military, school). In Japanese, the concept is expressed through specific nouns and phrases depending on context.
Describing the state of being in civilian attire, especially for police, soldiers, or students.
A police officer is patrolling in plain clothes.
Today is a day we can go to school in plain clothes.
Specifically a plainclothes police officer.
A plainclothes officer tailed the suspect.
A more formal or literary term for ordinary clothes, often used in invitations to mean 'informal attire'.
Please come in informal attire.
Modifying a noun to indicate someone is not wearing a uniform.
The adjectival form of 私服, used to describe a person or thing as being in plain clothes.
There was a plainclothes police officer nearby.
Referring to a day or situation when uniforms are not required.
Do not translate 'plain clothes' directly as 平らな服 (taira na fuku) or 普通の服 (futsū no fuku) when referring to the concept of being out of uniform. Use 私服 instead.
Going to school in plain clothes is allowed.