Translation guide
Refers to wearing ordinary, non-uniform clothing, especially when one would normally wear a uniform (e.g., police, military, school). In Japanese, the concept is expressed through specific nouns and phrases depending on context.
Describing the state of being in civilian attire, especially for police, soldiers, or students.
The most common term for 'plain clothes' in the sense of civilian clothing, especially for police officers or soldiers off duty. Also used for students not in uniform.
警察官が私服でパトロールしている。
A police officer is patrolling in plain clothes.
今日は私服で学校に行ってもいい日だ。
Today is a day we can go to school in plain clothes.
Specifically a plainclothes police officer.
私服警官が犯人を尾行した。
A plainclothes officer tailed the suspect.
A more formal or literary term for ordinary clothes, often used in invitations to mean 'informal attire'.
平服でお越しください。
Please come in informal attire.
Modifying a noun to indicate someone is not wearing a uniform.
The adjectival form of 私服, used to describe a person or thing as being in plain clothes.
私服の警察官が近くにいた。
There was a plainclothes police officer nearby.
Referring to a day or situation when uniforms are not required.
A designated 'plain clothes day' at a school or workplace.
明日は私服日だから、何を着ようかな。
Tomorrow is a plain clothes day, so I wonder what I should wear.
Going to school in plain clothes (instead of uniform).
私服登校が許可されている。
Going to school in plain clothes is allowed.
Do not translate 'plain clothes' directly as 平らな服 (taira na fuku) or 普通の服 (futsū no fuku) when referring to the concept of being out of uniform. Use 私服 instead.