Translation guide
The activity or skill of making or repairing clothes or other items using a needle and thread. In Japanese, the most common and general term is 裁縫 (saihou), but other words like ソーイング (sooing) and 縫い物 (nuimono) are also used depending on context.
Referring to sewing as a craft, hobby, or skill in general.
The standard word for sewing as a skill or activity. Often used in formal or educational contexts.
彼女は裁縫が得意です。
She is good at sewing.
裁縫を習いたいです。
I want to learn sewing.
Loanword from English, often used in the context of hobbies, classes, or modern sewing machines. Sounds more casual and trendy.
ソーイング教室に通っています。
I'm attending a sewing class.
Literally 'sewing things', refers to the act of sewing or the items being sewn. Common in everyday speech.
今日は一日中縫い物をしていた。
I was sewing all day today.
Referring to sewing as a subject taught in school, often part of home economics.
Used for the subject itself. Often combined with 家庭科 (kateika, home economics).
小学校で裁縫を習いました。
I learned sewing in elementary school.
Describing the action of sewing something.
The verb 'to sew'. Use this for the action of stitching.
ボタンを縫い付けました。
I sewed on a button.
彼女はドレスを縫っている。
She is sewing a dress.
Referring to the machine used for sewing.
The standard word for sewing machine. Note: not 'sewing machine' directly, but 'mishin' from 'machine'.
新しいミシンを買いました。
I bought a new sewing machine.
裁縫 is the most formal and traditional term, often used in education or professional contexts. ソーイング is a modern loanword popular in hobbyist circles and with younger generations. 縫い物 is a casual, everyday word that can refer to both the activity and the items being sewn.