Translation guide
The English word 'glove' refers to a covering for the hand, usually with separate sections for each finger. In Japanese, the most common equivalent is 手袋 (tebukuro), but there are specific words for different types of gloves, such as mittens, work gloves, and sports gloves.
A covering for the hand with individual finger sections, used for warmth, protection, or fashion.
The standard, neutral word for 'glove' in Japanese. Covers most types of gloves, including winter gloves, dress gloves, and casual gloves.
寒いので手袋をはめています。
It's cold, so I'm wearing gloves.
この手袋はとても暖かいです。
These gloves are very warm.
A hand covering where four fingers are together in one section and the thumb is separate, often warmer than gloves.
Loanword from English 'mitten'. Commonly used for winter mittens, especially for children or fashion.
子供用のミトンを買いました。
I bought children's mittens.
Can also refer to mittens in context, but is ambiguous. Use ミトン for clarity.
A sturdy glove used for manual labor, gardening, or protection from hazards.
Inexpensive cotton work gloves, often white with a colored cuff. Very common for construction, gardening, and general labor.
軍手をはめて作業してください。
Please wear work gloves while working.
A more formal or general term for work gloves, including leather, rubber, or specialized protective gloves.
工場では作業用手袋の着用が義務です。
Wearing work gloves is mandatory in the factory.
Rubber gloves, used for dishwashing, cleaning, or chemical protection.
A glove designed for a specific sport, such as baseball, golf, or boxing.
Loanword from English 'glove', used specifically for sports gloves, especially baseball gloves. Also used for boxing gloves (ボクシンググローブ).
新しいグローブを買って野球の練習をしました。
I bought a new glove and practiced baseball.
ボクシンググローブをつけてスパーリングをした。
I put on boxing gloves and sparred.
Can be used for sports gloves in general, but グローブ is more specific and common for baseball and boxing.
A glove that covers the palm and back of the hand but leaves the fingers exposed, often for dexterity or fashion.
Loanword from English 'fingerless glove'. Common in fashion and for activities requiring finger dexterity.
フィンガーレスグローブをしてスマホを操作する。
I wear fingerless gloves to use my smartphone.
Can be used with a description, e.g., 指なし手袋 (yubi nashi tebukuro), but フィンガーレスグローブ is more direct.
指なし手袋を編みました。
I knitted fingerless gloves.
手袋 (tebukuro) is the general term for any hand covering with fingers, including winter gloves, dress gloves, and mittens. グローブ (gurōbu) is a loanword used almost exclusively for sports gloves, especially baseball and boxing. Using グローブ for winter gloves would sound unnatural.
冬は手袋が必需品です。
Gloves are a necessity in winter.
彼は新しいグローブでキャッチボールをした。
He played catch with his new glove.
The verb はめる (hameru) is commonly used for putting on or wearing gloves, as they are pulled onto the hands. する (suru) can also be used, but はめる is more natural for gloves.
手袋をはめる
to put on gloves
この手袋は指が分かれていません。
These gloves don't have separate fingers.
ゴム手袋をして食器を洗います。
I wash dishes wearing rubber gloves.
ゴルフ用の手袋をはめています。
I'm wearing golf gloves.