Meaning and Usage
The word "服" (ふく) means "clothes" or "clothing" in general. It refers to garments worn on the body and is a very common noun used in everyday conversation.
Common Contexts
You will often hear "服" when talking about buying clothes, wearing clothes, or caring for clothes (like washing). It is a neutral term and can be used in both casual and polite contexts.
Collocations and Patterns
- 服を買う (ふくをかう): to buy clothes — used when shopping or discussing purchases.
- 服を着る (ふくをきる): to wear clothes — a basic expression for putting on clothes.
- 服を洗う (ふくをあらう): to wash clothes — common when talking about laundry.
- 新しい服 (あたらしいふく): new clothes — often used when describing recent purchases.
Tips for Learners
"服" is a straightforward noun but can sometimes be confused with more specific clothing words like "洋服" (western-style clothes) or "衣服" (formal term for clothing). For everyday use, "服" is sufficient and natural.
Remember that "服" is uncountable by itself; to count clothes, you usually use counters like "着" (き) for pieces of clothing.