Translation guide
This guide covers how to express 'custom-made' in Japanese, from made-to-order items to bespoke creations, with a focus on natural usage.
Describing something that is produced only after an order is placed, often with some customization.
The most common and direct equivalent of 'custom-made'. Used for clothing, furniture, and other items made to a customer's specifications.
このスーツはオーダーメイドです。
This suit is custom-made.
オーダーメイドの靴を注文した。
I ordered custom-made shoes.
Literally 'order-made', this is a more formal or technical term often used in business or manufacturing contexts.
この機械は注文製作です。
This machine is custom-made.
Short for 特別注文 (special order), used for items that are custom-ordered, often implying a one-off production.
この部品は特注です。
This part is custom-made.
Emphasizing high-quality, handcrafted items made to exact personal specifications, often in tailoring or luxury goods.
Refers to fully custom-made, especially in suits and dresses, where a pattern is created from scratch for the individual.
彼はフルオーダーのスーツを着ている。
He is wearing a bespoke suit.
A direct loanword from English 'bespoke', used in high-end tailoring and luxury contexts. Less common than フルオーダー.
ビスポークのジャケットを仕立ててもらった。
I had a bespoke jacket made.
Describing something designed and built for a specific purpose or client, often in technical fields.
Used for custom-made items, especially in contexts like cars, computers, or software. Slightly more 'customized' nuance than オーダーメイド.
カスタムメイドのPCを組み立てた。
I built a custom-made PC.
A special-order item, often used in industrial or commercial contexts.
この装置は特注品です。
This device is custom-made.
Specifically for clothing that is adjusted from a standard pattern to fit an individual.
Made-to-measure, where a standard pattern is adjusted. Less expensive and time-consuming than full bespoke.
イージーオーダーでスーツを作った。
I had a suit made-to-measure.
Another term for made-to-measure, literally 'pattern order'. Common in suit shops.
パターンオーダーなら、体型に合わせて調整できます。
With pattern order, we can adjust it to your body shape.
Emphasizing that the item is uniquely crafted by hand, often with an artistic or artisanal touch.
Handmade. While not strictly 'custom-made', it often implies a unique, non-mass-produced item. Can be used for custom orders.
このバッグは手作りです。
This bag is handmade.
One-of-a-kind item. Often used for custom or artisanal products that are unique.
オーダーメイド is the most general term for custom-made goods, especially clothing and furniture. カスタムメイド is often used for customizable products like cars or computers, implying a base model that is modified. 特注 is more formal and used in business/industrial contexts for special orders.
Do not translate 'custom-made' literally as 習慣作られた or similar. Use the loanwords or native terms above. Also, 手作り (handmade) does not always mean custom-made; it simply means made by hand, not by machine.
This dress is one of a kind.