How to say "decoration" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 飾りかざりnoun, noun (suffix)The everyday word for a decoration or ornament — a physical item used to adorn something, such as a trimming or a festive ornament. This is usually the default choice for tangible decorations.
- 勲章くんしょうnounCovers only the formal honor sense of 'decoration', meaning an order or medal conferred as a distinction. It is never the word for ornamental decoration; choose it only when 'decoration' refers to an award.
- nounA loanword used chiefly for decoration in the festive or confectionery sense, notably decorating cakes, and for decorative display. Use it when the English 'decoration' has that flavor.
- 飾り付けかざりつけnounRefers to decorating or dressing something up, and also to arrangement — the act or result of decorating a space, tree, or room. Choose it when the emphasis is on the decorating itself rather than the object.
- 装飾そうしょくsuru verb, transitive verb, no-adjectiveMeans ornament or decoration in the sense of ornamental embellishment added to buildings, objects, or designs. Suited to talking about decoration as ornamental detail rather than a single item.
Use 「飾り」 for a general ornament or something adorning, 装飾 for ornamental embellishment, 「飾り付け」 for the act or result of decorating a space, 「デコレーション」 for cakes and festive display, and 勲章 only for medals.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
- 飾りかざりdecoration
- 勲章くんしょうdecoration
- デコレーションdecoration
- 飾り付けかざりつけdecoration
- 装飾そうしょくornament
- 粉飾ふんしょくembellishment (e.g. of a story)
- 飾り物かざりものornament
- デコdecoration
- 修飾しゅうしょくornamentation
- 加飾かしょくdecoration
- 装飾品そうしょくひんornament
- 装飾物そうしょくぶつornament
- 化粧けしょうdecoration
- 作り物つくりものdecoration (e.g. for a festival)
- 彩りいろどり(touch of) colour
See also
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