ドレス

ドレス

dress

JLPT N3

Meaning and Usage

"ドレス" specifically refers to a dress, usually a one-piece garment worn by women. It is commonly used in contexts involving formal or semi-formal occasions such as parties, weddings, or dinners.

Common Collocations

  • ドレスを着る: to wear a dress, often implying dressing up for an event.
  • ドレスアップする: to dress up, often meaning to wear elegant or formal clothes.
  • ウェディングドレス: wedding dress, a specific type of dress worn by brides.

Usage Notes

"ドレス" is a loanword from English and is used mainly in fashion or event contexts. It is more formal than simply saying "服" (clothes) and often implies a special occasion. When talking about casual dresses, Japanese speakers might use "ワンピース" (one-piece).

Common Mistakes

Learners sometimes confuse "ドレス" with "ワンピース". While both can mean dress, "ドレス" often implies a more formal or elegant style, whereas "ワンピース" can refer to casual dresses as well. Use "ドレス" when emphasizing formality or special occasions.

Example Sentences

かのじょはパーティーのためにあたらしいドレスをかいました。

She bought a new dress for the party.

けっこんしきではなよめはしろいドレスをきます。

At the wedding, the bride wears a white dress.

かのじょはドレスアップしてディナーにでかけた。

She dressed up and went out for dinner.