模様(もよう)

もよう
noun
pattern, design
1. pattern, design
A decorative design or arrangement of shapes, colors, or lines.
花(はな)模様(もよう)の布(ぬの)を買(か)った。
I bought fabric with a floral pattern.
縞(しま)模様(もよう)のシャツを着(き)ている。
He's wearing a striped shirt.
縞模様 = striped pattern
この皿(さら)には美(うつく)しい水玉(みずたま)模様(もよう)が描(えが)かれている。
This plate has a beautiful polka dot pattern painted on it.
水玉模様 = polka dot pattern
2. appearance, state, sign
The way something looks or seems; indications of a situation.
空(そら)模様(もよう)が怪(あや)しい。
The sky looks threatening.
空模様 = the look of the sky, weather conditions
雨(あめ)模様(もよう)なので傘(かさ)を持(も)っていこう。
It looks like rain, so let's bring an umbrella.
雨模様 = signs of rain, looking like rain
試合(しあい)は一方(いっぽう)的(てき)な展開(てんかい)模様(もよう)で、ホームチームが圧勝(あっしょう)した。
The game took on a one-sided pattern, and the home team won a landslide victory.

模様(もよう) has two main meanings: (1) a decorative pattern or design, and (2) the appearance or state of a situation.

DECORATIVE PATTERNS:

  • 花(はな)模様(もよう): floral pattern
  • 縞(しま)模様(もよう): striped pattern
  • 水玉(みずたま)模様(もよう): polka dot pattern
  • 幾何学(きかがく)模様(もよう): geometric pattern

APPEARANCE/STATE:

  • 空(そら)模様(もよう): the look of the sky/weather
  • 雨(あめ)模様(もよう): signs of rain, looking like rain
  • 〜模様(もよう)だ: it seems like ~, it appears that ~

The pattern meaning is concrete and visual; the state meaning is more abstract and often used in weather and situation reports.

general
Added 2026.1.13 1:01 · Revised 2026.3.27 12:01
03500/03635_moyou