刺繍

ししゅう

embroidery

JLPT N1

Character Breakdown

Meaning and Usage

刺繍 (ししゅう) means "embroidery," referring to the art or craft of decorating fabric with needle and thread. It is a noun used in contexts related to textiles, fashion, and crafts.

Common Contexts

You will often see 刺繍 used when talking about handmade or decorative clothing, accessories like scarves or bags, and traditional crafts. It can describe both the technique and the finished embroidered design.

Collocations and Patterns

  • 刺繍をする: to do embroidery, commonly used when talking about the act of embroidering.
  • 刺繍の入った (item): an item that has embroidery on it, often used to describe clothing or accessories.
  • 繊細な刺繍: delicate embroidery, emphasizing fine craftsmanship.

Register and Nuance

刺繍 is a neutral, standard noun suitable for formal and informal contexts. It is often used in artistic or craft-related discussions. When describing embroidery on clothing, it adds a sense of elegance or detail.

Common Learner Notes

Learners sometimes confuse 刺繍 with 裁縫 (さいほう), which means "sewing" in general. 刺繍 specifically refers to decorative stitching, not general sewing or tailoring. Remember that 刺繍 focuses on the decorative aspect.

Example Sentences

かのじょはうつくしいししゅうのはいったスカーフをつくった。

She made a scarf with beautiful embroidery.

ししゅうをならうためにきょうしつにかよいはじめた。

I started attending a class to learn embroidery.

このドレスにはせんさいなししゅうがほどこされている。

This dress is adorned with delicate embroidery.