Translation guide
The English word 'dress' can refer to a one-piece garment, the act of putting on clothes, or a style of clothing. This guide covers the most common and useful Japanese expressions for each meaning.
A woman's or girl's one-piece garment that covers the body and extends down over the legs.
The most common and natural word for a dress as a one-piece garment. Used for casual and formal dresses.
彼女は赤いワンピースを着ていた。
She was wearing a red dress.
パーティーに新しいワンピースを買った。
I bought a new dress for the party.
Often implies a more formal or elegant dress, such as a party dress or evening gown. Can also refer to a dress in a general sense.
結婚式で白いドレスを着た。
I wore a white dress at the wedding.
彼女は美しいイブニングドレスを着ていた。
She was wearing a beautiful evening dress.
Casual abbreviation of ワンピース, used in everyday conversation, especially among younger people.
今日はワンピで出かけた。
I went out in a dress today.
To put clothes on oneself or someone else.
Used for putting on upper-body garments or whole-body garments like dresses, coats, shirts. Transitive verb.
朝起きて服を着る。
I get up in the morning and dress (put on clothes).
彼女は急いでドレスを着た。
She quickly put on the dress.
To change clothes, often used when dressing after being in pajamas or changing into a different outfit.
To put on or wear accessories, clothes, etc. More formal/literary. Emphasizes adorning oneself.
A particular style or manner of clothing, often for a specific occasion or group.
General term for attire, clothing, or dress style. Used in both formal and casual contexts.
パーティーの服装は自由です。
The dress for the party is casual (free).
伝統的な服装で式に参列した。
I attended the ceremony in traditional dress.
Borrowed from English 'dress code'. Used for formal rules about what to wear.
Personal appearance or dress, often with a nuance of neatness or appropriateness.
To clean and cover a wound with a bandage or dressing.
General phrase for treating a wound, including cleaning and bandaging.
看護師が傷の手当てをした。
The nurse dressed the wound.
Specifically to wrap a bandage around a wound.
彼は腕に包帯を巻いた。
He dressed his arm with a bandage.
To add a sauce or seasoning to food.
The most natural way to say 'dress a salad' in Japanese, using the loanword ドレッシング.
サラダにドレッシングをかけてください。
Please dress the salad.
To dress or toss food with sauce/seasoning, often used in Japanese cooking.
ほうれん草をごまで和える。
Dress the spinach with sesame sauce.
ワンピース is the everyday word for a one-piece dress, while ドレス often implies a more formal or elegant garment. In casual conversation, ワンピ is common among younger speakers.
普段はワンピースを着ているが、パーティーにはドレスを着る。
I usually wear a casual dress, but I wear a formal dress to parties.
The verb ドレスする is not commonly used for 'get dressed'. Use 着替える or 服を着る instead.
早く着替えなさい。
Get dressed quickly.
彼女は新しいワンピースを買った。
She bought a new dress.
サラダにドレッシングをかけてください。
Please dress the salad.
彼は急いで着替えた。
He dressed quickly.
Please get dressed (change out of your pajamas).
出かける前に着替える。
I change clothes before going out.
彼女は高価な宝石を身に着けていた。
She was dressed in expensive jewels.
This restaurant has a dress code.
He is always neatly dressed.