Translation guide
How to express the idea of joining things by stitching, both literally (sewing) and figuratively (combining elements).
To join pieces of fabric or material using a needle and thread.
To combine various parts, ideas, or pieces into a coherent whole, often in a makeshift or creative way.
To close a wound using stitches.
Medical term for suturing. Used by doctors or in formal contexts.
医者が傷を縫合した。
The doctor stitched the wound together.
Directly translating 'stitch together' as 'ステッチする' or 'スティッチする' is not natural Japanese. Use the appropriate verb depending on context.
布を縫い合わせる
stitch fabric together
The most direct and common way to say 'stitch together' in a sewing context. It implies joining two or more pieces by sewing.
布を縫い合わせてバッグを作った。
I stitched together pieces of fabric to make a bag.
General verb for 'to sew'. Can be used when the context makes it clear that pieces are being joined, but '縫い合わせる' is more precise for 'stitch together'.
破れた部分を縫った。
I stitched the torn part together.
Means 'to sew onto' or 'attach by sewing'. Used when stitching one thing onto another, like a patch.
ワッペンをジャケットに縫い付けた。
I stitched the patch onto the jacket.
Literally 'join together'. Used figuratively for piecing together stories, evidence, or plans. More common than a literal sewing metaphor in Japanese.
断片的な情報をつなぎ合わせて真実を探った。
We pieced together fragments of information to find the truth.
Means 'to compile' or 'put together into a finished form'. Good for stitching together a report, presentation, or plan.
急いでプレゼンをまとめ上げた。
I quickly stitched together a presentation.
Means 'to gather together' or 'scrape together'. Implies a somewhat haphazard collection of parts, often with a negative nuance of being makeshift.
あり合わせの材料を寄せ集めて料理を作った。
I stitched together a meal from whatever ingredients I had on hand.
In everyday conversation, '縫う' can be used for getting stitches, though it's less clinical.
転んで切ったところを３針縫った。
I fell and got three stitches where I cut myself.