How to say "pattern" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- nounThe loanword, used for the abstract and technical senses: recurring regularities in behavior, data, weather, or speech, and models or templates to follow. When in doubt about an abstract pattern, this is the word.
- 模様もようnounA visual pattern or figure on a surface: the decorative design of cloth, wallpaper, ceramics, or natural markings such as marble or wood grain.
- 柄がらnoun, noun (suffix)The pattern or design of cloth, clothing, or wallpaper — what print or motif something is done in. Also used when asking or commenting on the pattern of what someone is wearing.
- 絵柄えがらnounA picture-like design on an object: the artwork or printed design on dishes, cards, packaging, or merchandise, chosen or compared as an image.
- 典型てんけいnounOnly matches 'pattern' meaning a model or epitome: a person or thing that typically embodies a type, as in 'a pattern of virtue'. Not for visual or recurring patterns.
Use 「パターン」 for abstract or technical patterns, 模様 and 柄 for visual designs on cloth and surfaces, 絵柄 for a picture-like design on an object, and 典型 only when 'pattern' means a model or epitome.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
- パターンpattern
- 模様もようpattern
- 柄がらpattern
- 絵柄えがらpattern
- 典型てんけいtype
- 様式ようしきstyle
- 見本みほんsample
- 規範きはんmodel
- 類型るいけいtype
- 型かたtype
- 文様もんようpattern
- 図柄ずがらdesign
- 構造こうぞうstructure
- 模範もはんexemplar
- 鑑かがみmodel
- 文目あやめpattern
- 亀鑑きかんpattern
- 雛形ひながたmodel
- 師表しひょうmodel
- 儀刑ぎけいmodel
- 紋もんpattern
- 下敷きしたじきmodel
- 師範しはんmodel
- 代名詞だいめいしsynonym
- 法のりmodel
- 原型げんけい(sewing) pattern
- 調ちょうstyle
See also
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