1.
a shawl or wrap worn over the shoulders; (also) something designed to be slung over the shoulder, such as a shoulder bag
Originally a piece of cloth such as a shawl draped over the shoulders for warmth. Extended in compounds to mean 'worn over the shoulder,' as in 肩掛けカバン ('shoulder bag').
肩掛けを羽織る。
To throw on a shawl.
寒いので肩掛けを貸してもらった。
It was cold, so I was lent a shawl.
彼女は肩掛けカバンを提げて出かけた。
She went out carrying a shoulder bag.
祖母は編みかけの肩掛けを、孫のために丁寧に仕上げた。
Grandmother carefully finished the half-knitted shawl for her grandchild.
Nominalization of the verb 肩に掛ける ('to hang on the shoulder'). Usable both as a standalone noun (a shawl) and as the first element of compounds meaning 'shoulder-worn' (肩掛けカバン, 肩掛けバッグ).
USAGE:
As a standalone noun, 肩掛け refers to a shawl — a rectangular or wrap-style piece of cloth draped over the shoulders for warmth. The ショール (shawl) loanword has largely taken over in fashion contexts, so 肩掛け is now somewhat old-fashioned when used alone. In compound form (肩掛けカバン), it remains current.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 肩掛けを羽織る: to throw on a shawl
- 肩掛けを掛ける: to put a shawl over one's shoulders
- 肩掛けカバン: shoulder bag
- 肩掛けバッグ: shoulder bag (using katakana loanword)
- 毛織りの肩掛け: a woolen shawl
- 編みかけの肩掛け: a half-knitted shawl
SIMILAR WORDS:
- ショール: shawl — loanword, more common in modern fashion vocabulary
- 肩布: shoulder cloth — rare, literal term
- 膝掛け: lap blanket — same pattern for the lap
- 首巻き: muffler; scarf — worn around the neck
- マフラー: muffler; scarf — loanword
- 肩紐: shoulder strap — the strap itself
REGISTER:
As a standalone noun for a shawl, 肩掛け has a slightly old-fashioned, homely feel and is often associated with hand-knitted items. The compound 肩掛けカバン remains a fully current word in everyday speech.