Usage patterns 〈 人ひと 〉 が 衣い 装しょう を 着き る for someone to put on a costume/outfit
The actress wore a gorgeous costume on stage.
衣い 装しょう を 身み にまとう to don a costume or elaborate outfit
The bride was clad in a traditional costume.
衣い 装しょう 合あ わせをする to have a costume fitting
We did a costume fitting before filming.
Expressions 馬ま 子ご にも 衣い 装しょう clothes make the man; anyone can look good with the right clothes Kanji 衣 garment, clothes, dressing Related words· 8 服 is the everyday, general word for clothes, while 衣装 suggests a coordinated, special, or theatrical outfit.
着物 refers specifically to traditional Japanese dress, whereas 衣装 can cover both Western and Japanese costumes.
服装 describes one's overall manner of dress or appearance, while 衣装 often points to a specific outfit or costume for an occasion.
衣装 is a native Japanese word covering both traditional and Western-style outfits, while コスチューム is a loanword usually pointing specifically to costumes for cosplay, theater, or themed events.
Show 4 more Show fewer 衣装 is a broader word for costume or formal attire, whereas ドレス specifically means a dress-style garment.
衣装 refers to a costume or formal outfit for a special occasion, while 衣 more broadly means a robe-like garment or, in cooking, a coating.
衣装 refers to special or decorative clothing (like costumes or traditional dress), while 衣服 is plain, everyday clothing in a general sense.
衣装 usually refers to a costume or special outfit (e.g. for a performance or ceremony), while 装い covers everyday stylish attire or overall appearance more broadly.
Don't confuse with 衣装 (clothing, costume) is a homophone of 意匠 (design, idea) with completely different kanji and meaning, so learners must rely on context to distinguish them.
Counted with For garments counted as outfits — suits, coats, dresses; thin tops are more often 枚 .
For items in a collection, inventory, or exhibition — works, goods, pieces of luggage.
Used in somewhat formal contexts for a complete set of clothing, such as traditional Japanese garments (和服 ).
Word family· 13 dancing costume; dance outfit
dresser; costume assistant
borrowed clothes; rented clothing
wedding clothes; wedding attire
national costume; folk costume; traditional dress
Show 5 more Show fewer theatrical costumes; stage costumes
wardrobe; closet
owning many clothes; person with a large wardrobe
wardrobe; chest of drawers for clothes
love of fine clothing; extravagance in dress
See all 13 in Explore →
Written forms 衣い 装しょう Usage 75%
Standard kanji spelling; used for clothing, costumes, and outfits in general.
衣い 裳しょう Usage 23%
Alternate kanji spelling, often seen in theatrical or traditional contexts, but 衣装 is more common overall.
いしょう Usage 3%
Etymology Compound of 衣 (clothing) and 装 (attire, decoration). The spelling 衣裳 uses 裳 (skirt, ancient garment) and is more traditional, but both forms are read いしょう .
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