上着・上衣・表着|うわぎuwagi[0]heiban (flat)
じょういjoui
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Which spelling to use
上着上着 is the most common written form and the recommended choice for beginners; use it when you need a general written form for this meaning.
上衣上衣 is a less common written form than 上着. It is written entirely in kanji, but learners will generally be better served by choosing 上着.
表着表着 is a rarely used written form, so learners will seldom encounter it and generally do not need to choose it when writing this word.
Definitions
- nouncoat; jacket; outerwear
- nountop; upper-body garment
Synonyms & antonyms
- SynonymジャケットNeutralA loanword for a waist-length suit jacket or jacket; more specific than 「上着」.
- SynonymオーバーコートNeutralA loanword for a long, heavy overcoat worn against the cold; thicker and bulkier than 「上着」.
- Synonym外套がいとうWrittenA written Sino-Japanese word for an overcoat; it now sounds somewhat old-fashioned.
- SynonymトップコートNeutralA loanword for a light coat worn in spring and autumn; it also means a nail topcoat, and is uncommon in everyday use.
- Synonym外衣がいいWrittenA written word for an outer garment; very rare — in everyday speech say 「上着」.
- SynonymヤッケCasualA colloquial loanword from German for a hooded, windproof jacket, used mostly for mountaineering.
- Related被布ひふFormalA formal term for the round-collared coat worn over a kimono; part of traditional Japanese dress.
- Antonym下衣したごろもWrittenThe written opposite of 「上着」: clothes worn underneath or on the lower half of the body; an old-fashioned term.
For an outer top, 「上着」 is the default; use 「ジャケット」 for a suit jacket, 「オーバーコート」 for an overcoat, and 「ヤッケ」 for a windproof mountaineering jacket.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese definitions
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
See also
