Translation and Meaning of: 衣料 - iryou

If you've ever wondered how the Japanese talk about clothing in a more formal or technical way, the word 衣料 (いりょう) is the answer. In this article, we will explore everything from its etymology to how it is used in everyday life, including tips for memorization and interesting facts that go beyond the dictionary. Here at Suki Nihongo, you will also find practical examples to include in your Anki or another spaced repetition system, making your learning more efficient.

The term 衣料 is not just a synonym for clothing—it carries specific nuances, especially in contexts such as the textile industry, economy, and even discussions about sustainability. If you have ever searched on Google for "meaning of 衣料" or "how to use いりょう in Japanese", this article will cover these points and much more, including what is often overlooked in superficial explanations.

Origin and etymology of 衣料

The word 衣料 is composed of two kanji: 衣 (い, "clothing" or "garment") and 料 (りょう, "material" or "fee"). Together, they form the concept of "material for clothing" or simply "clothing". While 衣 alone already indicates clothing, the addition of 料 brings an idea of resource or input, giving a more technical tone to the term.

Interestingly, 衣料 is not an ancient word—it originated in modern Japanese, primarily in industrial and commercial contexts. If you have read news about "衣料品 (いりょうひん)," which means "articles of clothing," you realize how the term is frequently used in discussions about production, import, or even recycling of fabrics. This connection to the material world is exactly what differentiates 衣料 from more everyday words like 服 (ふく) or 着物 (きもの).

Usage and context in contemporary Japanese

Unlike 服, which you use to refer to the t-shirt you're wearing right now, 衣料 appears more in formal texts, reports, or even in conversations about sustainable fashion. For example, a headline like "衣料業界の環境問題" (environmental issues in the clothing industry) sounds natural, while replacing it with 服 here would make the sentence odd.

Another interesting detail is that 衣料 is rarely used alone in daily life—it's usually accompanied by other terms, as in 衣料品店 (clothing store) or 衣料用洗剤 (laundry detergent). If you want to sound natural, a tip is to pay attention to these fixed combinations, which are much more common than the isolated term.

Tips for memorization and curiosities

An easy way to remember 衣料 is to associate the first kanji, 衣, with something you already know—like 着物 (きもの), which also uses the same radical. The 料 appears in words like 材料 (ざいりょう, "ingredients") or 料金 (りょうきん, "fee"), always with the idea of "material" or "cost." Breaking it down into familiar parts helps to retain the term without memorizing.

And since we are talking about curiosities, did you know that 衣料 is one of the favorite words in recycling campaigns in Japan? Expressions like 古着衣料 (ふるぎいりょう, "used clothes for recycling") are common at collection points spread across the country. If you ever go to Japan and see a container with these kanjis, now you know that it is not just a place to donate old clothes—it's part of an organized system for reusing fabrics.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

衣類 (irui) - Clothing in general, apparel.
衣服 (ifuku) - Clothing, specific outfits, generally worn in a formal context.
衣装 (ishou) - Costume or special attire, often worn in performances or events.
衣食住の衣 (ishokujū no i) - Regarding clothing within the concept of clothes, food, and shelter (basic needs).