Translation guide
The English word 'wardrobe' can refer to a piece of furniture for storing clothes, a collection of clothes, or a room for storing clothes. This guide covers natural Japanese expressions for each meaning.
A standing closet or cabinet for storing clothes, typically with doors and sometimes drawers.
The most common word for a free-standing wardrobe or chest of drawers for Western-style clothes. Literally 'Western clothes chest'.
新しい洋服ダンスを買いました。
I bought a new wardrobe.
Refers to a built-in closet or a walk-in closet. Often used for Western-style closets.
クローゼットの中を整理した。
I organized my wardrobe.
A general term for a chest of drawers, often used for traditional Japanese clothing storage. Can be used for a wardrobe, but 洋服ダンス is more specific.
祖母の古いタンスには着物が入っている。
My grandmother's old wardrobe contains kimonos.
A loanword from English, sometimes used in fashion contexts or for a portable wardrobe. Less common in daily conversation.
このワードローブは組み立てが簡単です。
This wardrobe is easy to assemble.
All the clothes that a person owns, especially in the context of fashion or style.
A natural way to say 'wardrobe' as a collection of clothes. Literally 'clothing collection'.
彼女は季節ごとに服のコレクションを入れ替える。
She changes her wardrobe every season.
A concise term meaning 'clothes one owns'. Commonly used in fashion contexts.
持ち服を見直して、いらない服を処分した。
I reviewed my wardrobe and got rid of clothes I don't need.
The loanword is also used for a clothing collection, especially in fashion magazines or blogs.
Refers to someone who has a large wardrobe or many clothes. It describes the person, not the collection itself.
A room or large closet where clothes are kept, often with space for changing.
The standard term for a walk-in closet or dressing room.
寝室の隣にウォークインクローゼットがあります。
There is a walk-in wardrobe next to the bedroom.
Literally 'clothing room', used for a dedicated room for storing clothes and dressing.
彼女の家には広い衣装部屋がある。
Her house has a spacious wardrobe room.
A traditional Japanese storage room, often used for clothes, bedding, and other items. Not specifically a wardrobe, but can serve that function.
The English word 'wardrobe' is sometimes directly borrowed as ワードローブ, but it is not the most natural choice for a piece of furniture. Use 洋服ダンス or クローゼット instead.
I'm planning my autumn wardrobe.
彼女は本当に衣装持ちだ。
She really has an extensive wardrobe.
I store off-season clothes in the wardrobe (storage room).