Japanese for English speakers House · Lesson 7

Clothes patterns 2

More clothes patterns in Japanese — 水玉模様 (mizutama moyō, polka dots), 花柄 (hanagara, floral pattern). Notice the difference between 模様 (abstract) and 柄 (nature-based).

Conversation

  1. Shelladonna Shelladonna

    このスカートはデザインがかわいいですね

    kono sukāto wa dezain ga kawaī desu ne

    The design of this skirt is cute, isn't it

    Tip: <sukāto> = skirt <dezain> = design

  2. Meera Meera

    水玉模様もありますよ

    mizudama moyō mo arimasu yo

    I have polka dot pattern too

    Tip: <mizudama> = polka dots <moyō> = pattern, motif, decoration (usually for abstract pattern)

  3. Shelladonna Shelladonna

    花柄もありますか？

    hana gara mo arimasu ka?

    Do you have flower pattern too?

    Tip: <hana> = flower <gara> = pattern, motif (usually for plants and animals)

  4. Meera Meera

    はい、ありますよ

    hai, arimasu yo

    Yes, I do

Common questions

Quick answers about this lesson's grammar and vocabulary.

What's the difference between 模様 and 柄?

模様 (moyō) is used for abstract or geometric patterns. 柄 (gara) is used for plant- or animal-based patterns. 水玉模様 vs 花柄.

What is 水玉 (mizutama)?

Literally 'water beads' — the Japanese word for polka dots, evoking droplets of water.

What is デザイン (dezain)?

'Design' — a loanword from English, used much like the English word for clothing design, graphic design, etc.

Test yourself

Pick the English translation for each line from this lesson. Wrong answers are pulled from other Japanese lessons.

4 quick questions on what you just heard.

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