Translation guide
General term for items worn on the head, including hats, caps, helmets, and other protective or decorative coverings.
The speaker wants to refer to something worn on the head in a general sense, without specifying the type.
The most common and general word for headwear, covering hats, caps, and similar items. It is the default translation for 'headgear' in everyday contexts.
帽子をかぶってください。
Please put on your headgear.
あの帽子はとてもおしゃれですね。
That headgear is very stylish.
A broader term for anything worn on the head, including hats, hoods, wigs, and costumes. Often used for traditional or festive headgear.
お祭りでかぶりものを買いました。
I bought some headgear at the festival.
The speaker refers to headgear designed for safety, such as helmets for sports, construction, or military use.
The standard loanword for 'helmet', used for bicycles, motorcycles, construction, and sports. It is the most natural choice for protective headgear.
工事現場ではヘルメットを着用してください。
Please wear protective headgear at the construction site.
自転車に乗るときはヘルメットをかぶりましょう。
Let's wear a helmet when riding a bicycle.
Traditional Japanese helmet, specifically for samurai armor. Only used in historical or cultural contexts.
The speaker refers to headgear that is part of a uniform or specific to a sport, like a baseball cap or swimming cap.
Refers to a cap with a visor, like a baseball cap. Common in casual and sports contexts.
彼はいつもキャップをかぶっています。
He always wears a cap.
Specifically a swimming cap. Use when the context is clearly about swimming.
The speaker emphasizes the decorative or stylish aspect of headgear.
Still the most common word, but in fashion contexts it can be modified with adjectives or specific types.
彼女は素敵な帽子をかぶってパーティーに来ました。
She came to the party wearing a lovely hat.
Loanword often used for more formal or stylish hats, like fedoras or sun hats. It sounds slightly more fashionable than 帽子.
The English word 'headgear' is often used in formal or technical contexts (e.g., 'protective headgear'). In Japanese, there is no single word that covers all types equally. Use 帽子 for everyday hats, ヘルメット for helmets, and かぶりもの for traditional or costume headwear.
安全のためにヘルメットを着用してください。
Please wear protective headgear for safety.
Use かぶる (kaburu) for putting on or wearing items that cover the head, like hats and helmets. For more formal or technical contexts, 着用する (chakuyō suru) means 'to wear' (equipment).
帽子をかぶる
to put on a hat
ヘルメットを着用する
to wear a helmet
I saw an old helmet at the museum.
プールでは水泳帽をかぶらなければなりません。
You must wear a swimming cap at the pool.
This hat is perfect for summer.