Translation guide
Describes clothing that is old, torn, and in poor condition. Japanese has several vivid expressions, from neutral descriptions to dramatic, literary terms.
Describe clothes that are old, torn, and shabby.
A common, neutral way to say clothes are tattered and falling apart. 'ぼろぼろ' is an onomatopoeic word for something worn out or crumbling.
Same as above but written in katakana for emphasis or stylistic effect.
Those tattered clothes can't be worn anymore.
A shorter, more casual compound noun meaning 'rags' or 'tattered clothes'.
He always wears tattered clothes.
Emphasizes clothes covered in patches, implying they are old and mended many times.
Use a more dramatic or literary term for tattered clothes, often implying extreme poverty or destitution.
A literary/formal word for rags or tattered clothes. Often used in written descriptions or historical contexts.
He was wearing tattered clothes.
Those patched-up clothes told of his poverty.
彼は襤褸をまとっていた。
He was clad in rags.
Literally 'rags' or 'scraps of cloth', can refer to tattered clothes in a derogatory or pitiful sense.
Throw away those rags!