おさげ

おさげ
noun
braids; pigtails; plaits
appearance
1. braids; pigtails; plaits
Hair braided and hanging down, typically in two braids on each side of the head. Most commonly associated with girls' hairstyles.
おさげの女(おんな)の子(こ)。
A girl with braids.
髪(かみ)をおさげにする。
To wear one's hair in braids.
小学生(しょうがくせい)のころ、毎朝(まいあさ)母(はは)におさげを編(あ)んでもらっていた。
When I was in elementary school, my mother braided my hair every morning.

From お下(さ)げ, literally "hanging down" with the honorific prefix お. Originally referred to any hair hanging down the back, but now specifically means braided pigtails.

Usage

Strongly associated with young girls, especially schoolgirls. The image of おさげ evokes childhood and innocence in Japanese culture. Also called 三(み)つ編(あ)み (three-strand braid) when referring to the braiding technique itself.

Common collocations

Similar words

  • 三(み)つ編(あ)み — braid, plait; refers to the braiding technique
  • ツインテール — twin tails; ponytails on each side (not braided)
  • ポニーテール — ponytail; a single tail at the back

Related Words

Compare: 三(み)つ編(あ)み (braid, plait)
Compare: ポニーテール (ponytail)
Related: 編(あ)み髪(がみ) (braided hair)
general
Added 2026.3.31 0:19 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
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