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

CONTRAST:

  • 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 TERMS:

  • 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
general
Added 2026.3.31 1:17
20500/20802_yousai