服を着る

Using this phrase is very straightforward. You start with the object 服 (fuku). Then you add the particle を (o) to show action. Finally, you end with the verb 着る (kiru). If you are talking to a boss, use kimasu. If you are talking to a friend, kiru is fine. To describe what you are currently wearing, say kite iru. This is the "state" of wearing something. It is like saying "I am currently in my clothes."

Use this when you wake up and get ready. It is perfect for telling a friend to "hurry up and get dressed." You can also use it when shopping for a new coat. If you see a cute dog in a sweater, use it! It works in almost any daily scenario. Whether you are at home or at a department store, it fits. It is a neutral, safe phrase for everyone.

Here is the tricky part about Japanese. Do not use kiru for your legs! If you are putting on pants or socks, use haku. If you are putting on a hat, use kaburu. Using kiru for shoes will sound very funny to locals. It’s like saying you are "wearing" a hat on your torso. Also, avoid this for accessories like watches or rings. Those have their own special verbs too. Stick to the torso and you are safe.

In the past, Japanese people mostly wore Kimono. The word fuku usually refers to Western-style clothing today. However, the verb kiru has stayed the same for centuries. Japanese culture places high value on "TPO" (Time, Place, Occasion). Choosing the right fuku to kiru is a sign of respect. Even a simple t-shirt should be clean and neat. Dressing appropriately shows you care about the people around you.

You might hear kikaeru which means "to change clothes." This is useful if you spill coffee on yourself. Another one is nugu, which means "to take off clothes." In Japan, you nugu your shoes at the entrance. If you want to say "fashionable," you say oshare. You can say someone is oshare na fuku o kite iru. This means they are wearing very stylish clothes.