Translation guide
The English word 'skirt' refers to a garment worn from the waist down. In Japanese, the most common equivalent is スカート, a loanword from English. This guide covers how to talk about skirts in Japanese, including types, related verbs, and cultural notes.
Referring to a skirt as a clothing item.
The standard Japanese word for 'skirt', borrowed from English. Used for most modern skirts.
She bought a new skirt.
Is this skirt too short?
A wrap skirt. Often used for casual or beachwear.
Wrap skirts are cool in summer.
A tight skirt, pencil skirt. Common in office wear.
I wore a pencil skirt to the interview.
A flared skirt. Popular for a feminine look.
Flared skirts are in fashion.
Referring to traditional Japanese clothing that resembles a skirt.
Hakama are wide-legged trousers or a divided skirt worn over kimono. Often seen in martial arts or formal ceremonies.
Many female students wear hakama at graduation ceremonies.
A traditional wrap-around skirt, often worn as an undergarment or by laborers in the past. Rarely used today.
Expressing the action of putting on or wearing a skirt.
The verb 履く (はく) is used for putting on clothing on the lower body, including skirts, pants, and shoes.
I'm wearing a skirt today.
I put on a skirt and went out.
The kanji 穿く is an alternative for 履く, but 履く is more common for skirts.
It's been a while since I wore a skirt.
Describing the length or style of a skirt.
Referring to a skirt that is part of a school or work uniform.
Literally 'uniform skirt'. Used to specify the skirt part of a uniform.
Shortening the uniform skirt is against school rules.
The Japanese word スカート sounds similar to the English 'skirt', but be careful not to confuse it with シャツ (shirt). They are distinct words.
Please don't mix up skirt and shirt.
Use 履く (はく) for putting on a skirt, as it is a lower-body garment. For upper-body clothing like shirts, use 着る (きる).
Wear a skirt, wear a shirt
昔の女性は腰巻を着用していた。
Women in the past wore koshimaki.
Long skirts look elegant.