How to say "plaid" in Japanese

• チェックJLPT N4approx.Common
  no-adjectiveThe common word for a check pattern and the usual choice for plaid, as when describing a plaid shirt, scarf, or blanket.
  彼かれの稿こう模様もようのスーツとチェックのネクタイは合あわなかった。↗

  His striped suit and checked tie didn't match.
• 弁慶格子べんけいごうし
  nounA name for a specific traditional Japanese checked pattern, associated with the warrior Benkei; use it only when you mean that particular design, not for plaid in general.
• 弁慶縞べんけいじま
  nounAnother name for the traditional checked pattern associated with Benkei; like 弁慶格子, it is seldom the word you want for plaid unless that specific design is meant.
• 格子縞こうしじま
  nounA descriptive term for a checked pattern, literally 'lattice stripes': crossing vertical and horizontal stripes forming a grid. It can translate plaid but is less common than チェック.
• 格子柄こうしがら
  nounA general descriptive term for check or checkered patterns, combining 格子 'lattice' with 柄 'pattern'; it covers plaid and is less common than the loanword チェック.

For plaid in most contexts 「チェック」 is the common, default word; 格子柄 and 格子縞 are descriptive terms for check or checkered patterns, while 弁慶格子 and 弁慶縞 name one specific traditional checked design.

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

• チェックcheck (pattern)
• 弁慶格子べんけいごうしchecked pattern
• 弁慶縞べんけいじまchecks
• 格子縞こうしじまcheck(ed) pattern
• 格子柄こうしがらcheck pattern
• 格子こうしcheck(ed) pattern
• 弁慶べんけいchecks