洋 裁(ようさい)

ようさい

noun

dressmaking; Western-style sewing

1. dressmaking; Western-style sewing

The craft of making Western-style clothing (dresses, shirts, pants, etc.) using patterns and a sewing machine. Distinguished from traditional Japanese sewing (和裁(わさい)).

母(はは)は洋裁(ようさい)が得意(とくい)だ。

My mother is good at dressmaking.

洋裁(ようさい)教室(きょうしつ)に通(かよ)っている。

I attend a dressmaking class.

祖母(そぼ)は若(わか)い頃(ころ)、洋裁(ようさい)で生計(せいけい)を立(た)てていた。

My grandmother made her living through dressmaking when she was young.

Composed of 洋(よう) (Western) + 裁(さい) (sewing, cutting fabric). Refers specifically to the construction of Western-style garments, as opposed to 和裁(わさい) (Japanese-style sewing for kimono and other traditional garments).

Common collocations

洋裁(ようさい)教室(きょうしつ): dressmaking class
洋裁(ようさい)学校(がっこう): dressmaking school
洋裁(ようさい)をする: to do dressmaking
洋裁(ようさい)の型紙(かたがみ): dressmaking pattern

Similar words

和裁(わさい): Japanese-style sewing — uses hand stitching and straight seams for kimono construction
洋裁(ようさい): Western-style sewing — uses a sewing machine, curved patterns, and darts for fitted garments

Related words

裁縫(さいほう): sewing (general term, encompasses both Japanese and Western styles)
ミシン: sewing machine (from English "machine")
仕立(した)て: tailoring
手芸(しゅげい): handicrafts, needlework

Related Words

Compare: 和裁(わさい) (Japanese-style sewing)

Related: 裁縫(さいほう) (sewing)

Related: ミシン (sewing machine)

Related: 仕立(した)て (tailoring)

Related: 手芸(しゅげい) (handicrafts, needlework)

Related: 仕立屋(したてや) (tailor)

general

Added 2026.3.31 1:17 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02

20500/20802_yousai