袖口(そでぐち)

Compound of 袖(そで) ('sleeve') and 口(くち) ('opening/mouth'). Refers to the hand-end opening of a sleeve, in contrast to the shoulder-end where the sleeve attaches to the body of the garment.

Usage

• Used for all kinds of garments — dress shirts, jackets, sweaters, kimono, lab coats — whenever the opening at the wrist is meant.
• Can refer specifically to the cuff band/trim (e.g., on a dress shirt) or more generally to the sleeve opening itself.
• Commonly discussed in contexts of fit, cleanliness (the cuffs being the first part to get dirty), and fashion details.

Common collocations

• 袖口(そでぐち)が汚(よご)れる: the cuffs get dirty
• 袖口(そでぐち)を折(お)り返(かえ)す: to roll up / fold back the cuffs
• 袖口(そでぐち)のボタン: the cuff button
• 袖口(そでぐち)がほつれる: the cuff becomes frayed
• シャツの袖口(そでぐち): the cuff of a shirt

Related words

• 袖(そで): sleeve — the whole sleeve, not just the opening.
• 袖(そで)なし: sleeveless — a garment without sleeves.
• 襟(えり): collar — neckline counterpart.
• 裾(すそ): hem — bottom opening of a garment, analogous to 袖口(そでぐち) but at the bottom.