Translation guide
A covering or ornament for the head, ranging from practical caps to ceremonial headgear. Japanese distinguishes many types by function, formality, and cultural context.
The most common everyday meaning: any item worn on the head for protection, warmth, or fashion.
The general word for hat or cap. Covers most everyday headwear.
寒いので帽子をかぶった。
I put on a hat because it was cold.
彼はいつも野球帽をかぶっている。
He always wears a baseball cap.
Specifically a cap with a visor, like a baseball cap.
そのキャップは後ろ前だよ。
That cap is on backwards.
A hat with a brim all around, often more stylish or formal.
彼女は麦わらハットをかぶっていた。
She was wearing a straw hat.
Headdresses specific to Japanese culture, such as those worn with kimono or by brides.
Ornamental hairpin, often part of traditional female hairstyles. Not a full head covering but a decorative headdress element.
花嫁は美しい簪をつけていた。
The bride wore a beautiful ornamental hairpin.
A white hood-like headdress worn by a bride in a traditional Shinto wedding, symbolizing hiding the 'horns' of jealousy.
A black lacquered cap worn by male courtiers in ancient times, now seen mainly in ceremonies or historical contexts.
Headdresses used in religious, military, or formal ceremonies, often with symbolic meaning.
A crown or coronet, often used for royalty or in traditional ceremonies.
王は重い冠をかぶっていた。
The king wore a heavy crown.
Loanword for a decorative headdress, often used in fashion or costume contexts.
Samurai helmet, a type of armored headdress. Now seen in festivals or displays.
Specific headgear worn as part of a uniform, such as a nurse's cap or a chef's hat.
Nurse's cap, a classic part of a nurse's uniform.
彼女はナースキャップをかぶって病室に入った。
She put on a nurse's cap and entered the hospital room.
Chef's hat, the tall white hat worn by chefs.
シェフはコック帽をかぶっていた。
The chef was wearing a chef's hat.
Use かぶる (kaburu) for putting on or wearing something on the head, like hats, caps, and helmets. For decorative items like hairpins or headbands, use つける (tsukeru) or 着ける (tsukeru). For traditional bridal headdresses, 着ける is common.
The English word 'headdress' is broad and can sound unnatural if directly translated into Japanese. Instead, specify the type of headgear (hat, cap, crown, hair ornament) based on context.
式の間、花嫁は角隠しを着けていた。
During the ceremony, the bride wore a tsunokakushi.
The Shinto priest wore an eboshi.
She wore a feather headdress at the party.
An old samurai helmet was displayed in the museum.