Translation guide
Describes clothing that is casual, relaxed, or not formal. In Japanese, this concept is expressed through specific words for casual wear, plain clothes, or the act of dressing down, depending on the context.
To refer to everyday, relaxed clothing that is not formal or business attire.
Literally 'usual wear', this is the most common and natural way to say 'informal dress' or 'casual clothes' for everyday situations.
普段着で来てください。
Please come in casual clothes.
普段着はジーンズとTシャツです。
My casual clothes are jeans and a T-shirt.
Uses the loanword 'casual' and means 'casual attire'. Common in fashion contexts and invitations.
パーティーはカジュアルな服装でお越しください。
Please come to the party in casual attire.
Refers to one's own personal clothes, as opposed to a uniform or work attire. Often used in contexts like 'casual day' at school or work.
明日は私服で出勤してもいいです。
You can come to work in your own clothes tomorrow.
To describe the act of wearing less formal clothes than usual, or the state of being dressed informally.
Means 'rough/relaxed appearance' and is a very common way to say 'dressed informally'.
今日はラフな格好で大丈夫ですか？
Is it okay to dress casually today?
Literally 'broken-down attire', meaning informal or casual dress. Slightly more descriptive than ラフな格好.
会議ではくだけた服装は避けてください。
Please avoid informal dress at the meeting.
To specify that an event or setting does not require formal attire.
Means 'attire is free', commonly used on invitations to indicate no dress code.
服装は自由ですので、普段着でどうぞ。
The dress code is casual, so please come in your everyday clothes.
A set phrase meaning 'Please come in ordinary clothes', often used on invitations for informal gatherings.
平服でお越しください。
Please come in informal dress.
The direct translation '非公式な服' (hikōshiki na fuku) is not natural Japanese. Use the terms above instead.