衣
garment, clothes, dressing
Readings
On'yomi
- イ
- エ
Kun'yomi
- ころも
- きぬ
- -ぎ
Meaning
衣 centers on clothing: a garment, clothes in general, or the act of dressing. It covers both the physical item and the concept of wearing something.
Most common words using 衣
20 of 188- 衣装いしょうN1
clothing; costume; outfit; garment; dress
- 衣ころも
clothes; garment
- 浴衣ゆかたN3
yukata; light cotton kimono worn in the summer or used as a bathrobe
- 麻衣あさごろも
linen robe
- 衣服いふくN3
clothes
- 白衣はくいN1
white clothes; white robe
- 衣類いるいN2
clothes; clothing; garments
- 着衣ちゃくい
clothes (that one is wearing)
- 更衣こうい
changing one's clothes
- 脱衣だついN1
undressing; taking off one's clothes; stripping
- 衣料いりょうN1
clothing
- 濡れ衣ぬれぎぬ
false accusations; unfounded suspicion; groundless charge
- 衣食住いしょくじゅうN2
food, clothing and shelter; necessities of life
- 衣替えころもがえ
seasonal change of clothing; changing one's dress for the season
- 羽衣はごろも
angel's raiment; robe of feathers
- 黒衣こくい
black clothes
- 衣きぬ
clothing; garment; dress
- 地衣ちい
lichen
- 救命胴衣きゅうめいどうい
life jacket; life vest
- 衣食いしょく
food and clothing
Study
Etymology
衣 is a pictograph of a traditional upper garment with a collar and sleeves. The modern form retains the basic shape of the collar and draped fabric.
Meaning mnemonic
The top dot and horizontal line suggest a collar, and the sweeping strokes below look like the body and sleeves of a robe. Picture a traditional garment: 衣 is clothing.
Reading mnemonic
For イ, imagine an easy-to-wear garment: easy -> イ, and the clothes slip on effortlessly.