How to say "cloth" in Japanese

• 生地きじJLPT N3approx.Common
  nounCovers cloth as fabric or material, often emphasizing its texture. Typical when talking about the material something is made of, such as the fabric of a shirt or curtains.
  生地きじを預あずければドレスを仕立したててくれますか。↗

  Will you make me up a dress if I give you the material?
• クロスCommon
  nounCovers cloth as a physical piece used for wiping or covering, such as a tablecloth or cleaning cloth. Less suitable for cloth as a raw material.
• 布ぬのJLPT N3approx.Common
  nounThe most general word for cloth or fabric as a material or textile. A safe default when you mean cloth in the everyday sense, including pieces of cloth for craft or cleaning.
  この布ぬのは裂さけやすい。↗

  This cloth tears easily.
• 呉服ごふくCommon
  nounRefers to cloth for Japanese clothes, especially kimono fabrics. Use it only in that context; for ordinary cloth it is not the word you want.
• 服地ふくじCommon
  nounCovers cloth as dress material or clothing fabric. Use it when the cloth is specifically intended for making garments.
  この服地ふくじは１ヤード単位たんいで売うられている。↗

  This cloth is sold by the yard.

Use 布 for cloth in general, 生地 for fabric or material, 「クロス」 for a cloth used for wiping or covering, 服地 for clothing fabric, and 呉服 specifically for kimono fabrics.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 生地きじcloth
• クロスcloth
• 布ぬのcloth
• 呉服ごふくcloth (for Japanese clothes)
• 服地ふくじcloth
• 布地ぬのじfabric
• 反物たんものfabric
• 用布ようふcloth (for making clothes)
• 切れ地きれじfabric
• 布帛ふはくfabric
• 太物ふとものdrapery (e.g. cotton, hemp, etc., as opposed to silk)
• 巾きんnapkin
• 拭きふきcleaner
• 切れきれcloth
• テックスcloth