How to say "fabric" in Japanese

• 生地きじJLPT N3approx.Common
  nounFabric or cloth as material, especially material for making clothes; a common general word. Because it also means 'material' and 'texture', rely on context to pin down the fabric sense.
  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?
• 布ぬのJLPT N3approx.Common
  nounThe plain, general word for cloth: fabric as a physical piece or substance. Fits talk of a piece of cloth, or cloth used to cover, wrap or wipe things.
  この布ぬのは裂さけやすい。↗

  This cloth tears easily.
• 布地ぬのじCommon
  nounCloth considered as material — fabric to be cut and sewn into clothes, curtains and the like. Close in use to 生地, with the material aspect uppermost.
• 反物たんものCommon
  nounA bolt of cloth — fabric as merchandise, the length of cloth you buy to make a kimono. Not a general word for fabric; it points to the bolt itself.
• 織物おりものJLPT N1approx.Common
  nounTextile: fabric as a woven product, the stuff of the textile trade and of weaving crafts. Choose it when 'textile' rather than 'cloth' is the sense you want.
  あの店みせには織物おりもの類るいが置おいてありますか。↗

  Does that store keep textile goods?

生地 and 布 are the general words for cloth or fabric as material; 布地 likewise means fabric as material, 反物 is cloth in bolt form, and 織物 means woven textiles.

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

• 生地きじcloth
• 布ぬのcloth
• 布地ぬのじfabric
• 反物たんものfabric
• 織物おりものtextile
• ファブリックfabric
• 切れ地きれじfabric
• 布帛ふはくfabric
• テックスcloth
• 織り地おりじfabric
• 地じtexture