1.
tailcoat; swallow-tail coat
A formal evening coat with a short front and long tails at the back, resembling a swallow's tail. The most formal type of men's evening wear, worn at state dinners, formal ceremonies, and orchestra performances.
指揮者は燕尾服を着ていた。
The conductor was wearing a tailcoat.
授賞式では燕尾服の着用が求められる。
Wearing a tailcoat is required at the awards ceremony.
彼は燕尾服に白いネクタイという正装で晩餐会に出席した。
He attended the banquet in formal attire — a tailcoat with a white tie.
Literally "swallow-tail clothes" — 燕 (swallow, the bird), 尾 (tail), 服 (clothing). The name comes from the coat's distinctive split back tails that resemble a swallow's forked tail.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 燕尾服を着る: to wear a tailcoat
- 燕尾服姿: figure in a tailcoat
- 燕尾服に蝶ネクタイ: tailcoat with a bow tie
SIMILAR WORDS:
- タキシード: tuxedo — one level less formal; worn with a black bow tie
- 礼服: formal wear — general term for ceremonial clothing
- 正装: full formal dress — refers to the dress code rather than a specific garment
CULTURAL NOTE:
In Japan, 燕尾服 is most commonly seen on orchestra conductors, at Nobel Prize ceremonies, and at imperial court events. For most formal Japanese occasions, a dark suit or 礼服 is sufficient.