1.
Western clothes, Western-style clothing
Clothing of Western origin, as opposed to traditional Japanese clothing (wafuku). Includes suits, dresses, shirts, pants, etc.
普段は洋服を着ています。
I usually wear Western clothes.
洋服と和服ではお手入れの仕方が違います。
Western and Japanese clothes require different care.
洋服ダンスに服を掛けました。
I hung the clothes in the wardrobe.
新しい洋服を買いに駅前のデパートへ行った。
I went to the department store in front of the station to buy new clothes.
結婚式では和服を着る人もいるが、最近は洋服で出席する人が多い。
Some people wear Japanese clothing to weddings, but recently many attend in Western clothes.
洋服 refers to Western-style clothing.
洋 = Western/ocean, 服 = clothes
Includes:
- スーツ (suit)
- ワンピース (dress)
- シャツ (shirt)
- パンツ/ズボン (pants)
- スカート (skirt)
- ジャケット (jacket)
- コート (coat)
Opposite: 和服 (Japanese clothing)
- 着物 (kimono)
- 浴衣 (yukata)
- 袴 (hakama)
Historical note:
- Western clothing became common in Japan from the Meiji era
- Now 洋服 is everyday wear, 和服 is for special occasions
Related:
- 洋服ダンス (wardrobe)
- 洋服屋 (clothing store)