How to say "embroidery" in Japanese

• 刺繍ししゅうJLPT N1approx.Common
  noun, suru verb, transitive verbThe basic word for embroidery as needlework — decorative stitching on cloth. This is what you want for the literal, physical craft sense of 'embroidery'.
  彼女かのじょからすばらしい刺繍ししゅう品ひんをもらった。↗

  She gave me charming embroideries.
• 縫いぬいCommon
  nounPrimarily sewing or stitching; 'embroidery' is a secondary gloss. For the craft sense 刺繍 is usually the word you want, though 縫い can refer to stitched work generally.
  母ははは縫い物ぬいものをやめ、本ほんを拾い上ひろいあげた。↗

  My mother stopped her sewing and picked up her book.
• 脚色きゃくしょくJLPT N1approx.Common
  noun, suru verb, transitive verbCovers only the figurative sense: 'embroidery' as embellishment or dramatization of the facts, adding exaggeration to a story or account. Never used for actual needlework.

Use 刺繍 for literal needlework embroidery, 「縫い」 mainly for sewing/stitching (embroidery only secondarily), and 脚色 for the figurative sense of embroidered, exaggerated accounts of facts.

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

• 刺繍ししゅうembroidery
• 縫いぬいembroidery
• 縫い取りぬいとりembroidery
• エンブロイダリーembroidery
• フランス刺繍フランスししゅうembroidery
• 縫い物ぬいものsewing
• 脚色きゃくしょくembellishment (of the facts)