(ようふく)

ようふく
noun
Western clothes
1. Western clothes, Western-style clothing
Clothing of Western origin, as opposed to traditional Japanese clothing (wafuku). Includes suits, dresses, shirts, pants, etc.
I usually wear Western clothes.
Western and Japanese clothes require different care.
I hung the clothes in the wardrobe.
I went to the department store in front of the station to buy new clothes.
Some people wear Japanese clothing to weddings, but recently many attend in Western clothes.

洋服(ようふく) refers to Western-style clothing.

(よう) = Western/ocean, (ふく) = clothes

Includes:

Opposite: 和服(わふく) (Japanese clothing)

Historical note:

  • Western clothing became common in Japan from the Meiji era
  • Now 洋服(ようふく) is everyday wear, 和服(わふく) is for special occasions

Related:

  • 洋服(ようふく)ダンス (wardrobe)
  • 洋服(ようふく)() (clothing store)