Explore 装 in words for clothing and equipment. Learn each reading with the complete word and its context.

The idea

装 has 12 strokes; follow the linked diagram. 服装（ふくそう） means attire, 衣装（いしょう） a costume or outfit, and 装備（そうび） equipment. 装う（よそおう） means to dress or present oneself.

Patterns to compare
Japanese wordReadingExample in context
服装ふくそうPlease come in comfortable clothes.
衣装いしょうThe actors wear costumes on stage.
装備そうびWe prepared the equipment needed for climbing.
装うよそおうShe dressed elegantly for the party.

Examples

  • 動うごきやすい服装ふくそうで来きてください。Please come in comfortable clothes.
  • 俳優はいゆうたちは舞台ぶたいで衣装いしょうを着きています。The actors wear costumes on stage.
  • 登山とざんに必要ひつような装備そうびを準備じゅんびしました。We prepared the equipment needed for climbing.
  • 彼女かのじょはパーティーに上品じょうひんに装よそおいました。She dressed elegantly for the party.
  • この本ほんの装丁そうていは美うつくしいです。The book’s cover design is beautiful.
  • 部屋へやを花はなで装飾そうしょくしました。We decorated the room with flowers.

Read-aloud uses a synthetic Japanese voice available on your device. Voice quality and availability vary; it does not assess your pronunciation.

Watch out

衣装 often refers to a costume for a performance or occasion; 服装 describes what someone wears. 装備 can mean equipment, not clothing alone.

Try it yourself

  1. Write the reading of 服装 in hiragana.

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    ふくそう

    服装 is read ふくそう: the sentence asks for comfortable clothing.

  2. Write the reading of 衣装 in hiragana.

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    いしょう

    衣装 is read いしょう: the actors wear costumes on stage.

  3. Choose the missing kanji: ＿備（そうび）［装／近］.

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    装

    装 completes 装備（そうび）, the equipment needed for climbing.

Use it today

Write 装 using the diagram. Cover the table, read 服装 and 衣装, then describe an outfit.