How to say "accessory" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- nounThe word for the fashion sense of 'accessory': jewelry and other items worn to complement an outfit. When you mean a necklace, earrings, or ring, this is the word you want.
- 付帯ふたいsuru verb, intransitive verb, no-adjectiveA noun meaning 'incidental; ancillary; secondary': something subordinate that comes attached to something else. It is never the word for a physical item like jewelry; it fits only abstract, ancillary uses of 'accessory'.
- 友ともnounMeans 'companion' or 'accompaniment': something that goes with and complements another, as a companion book does. For 'accessory' it is a marginal fit — use it when you mean a complement, not a fashion accessory.
Use 「アクセサリー」 for the fashion sense — jewelry and items worn with an outfit; 付帯 for something incidental or ancillary; 友 only for a companion or complement, something that goes along with something else.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
See also
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