Japanese for Secondhand Fabric Hunting: Asking About Kimono Offcuts
Learn to ask この端切れは何ですか and 着物の生地ですか at a secondhand shop. Identify fabric type and origin with polite, reusable Japanese.
By LiamCulture & nuance · Yapr Learn
In a secondhand shop or flea market, you spot a basket of colorful fabric pieces. You want to know what they are and whether they come from a kimono. This lesson teaches you two core questions: この端切れは何ですか (What is this offcut?) and 着物の生地ですか (Is it kimono fabric?). You will also learn key vocabulary like 端切れ (offcut) and 着物 (kimono), and practice a short role-play with a shop staff member. The focus is on polite, natural Japanese that you can use immediately. No prior fabric knowledge is needed. By the end, you will be able to ask about the material and origin of fabric scraps, and understand simple answers.
By the end, you can…
- ask what a fabric offcut is using この端切れは何ですか.
- ask whether a fabric piece is kimono fabric using 着物の生地ですか.
- understand and use the words 端切れ and 着物 in a shop conversation.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
この端切れは何ですか。
What is this offcut?
Kono hagire wa nan desu ka.
Point to a specific piece of fabric scrap. 端切れ (hagire) means 'fabric offcut' or 'remnant'. Use this to ask what it is.
着物の生地ですか。
Is it kimono fabric?
Kimono no kiji desu ka.
Ask whether the fabric comes from a kimono. 着物 (kimono) means 'kimono'; 生地 (kiji) means 'fabric' or 'material'.
これは何の生地ですか。
What kind of fabric is this?
Kore wa nan no kiji desu ka.
A broader question about the material type. Use when you want to know if it is silk, cotton, etc.
絹ですか。
Is it silk?
Kinu desu ka.
Ask if the fabric is silk. 絹 (kinu) is a common material for kimono. Replace with 木綿 (momen, cotton) or 麻 (asa, linen) as needed.
着物から作ったのですか。
Was it made from a kimono?
Kimono kara tsukutta no desu ka.
Ask about the origin: whether the offcut was made by cutting up an old kimono. This is a polite, natural way to inquire.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The pattern この〜は何ですか (Kono ~ wa nan desu ka) means 'What is this ~?' You can use it with many nouns. For example, この端切れは何ですか (What is this offcut?). To ask about material, use 〜は何の生地ですか (~ wa nan no kiji desu ka), meaning 'What kind of fabric is ~?' For example, これは何の生地ですか (What kind of fabric is this?). To ask a yes/no question about origin, use 〜は着物の生地ですか (~ wa kimono no kiji desu ka), meaning 'Is ~ kimono fabric?' For example, これは着物の生地ですか (Is this kimono fabric?). These patterns are polite and work in shops.
When to use it
Use この端切れは何ですか when you pick up a specific piece and want to know what it is. Use 着物の生地ですか when you suspect the fabric might be from a kimono and want confirmation. If you want to know the material, ask これは何の生地ですか. For a more specific material, ask 絹ですか (Is it silk?) or 木綿ですか (Is it cotton?). When asking about origin, 着物から作ったのですか is natural and polite. Always add ですか to keep the tone polite. In a shop, you can also start with すみません (Sumimasen, Excuse me) to get attention.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
すみません、この端切れは何ですか。
Excuse me, what is this offcut?Sumimasen, kono hagire wa nan desu ka.それは着物の端切れです。
That is a kimono offcut.Sore wa kimono no hagire desu.着物の生地ですか。絹ですか。
Is it kimono fabric? Is it silk?Kimono no kiji desu ka. Kinu desu ka.はい、絹です。着物から作ったのですよ。
Yes, it is silk. It was made from a kimono.Hai, kinu desu. Kimono kara tsukutta no desu yo.A little context goes a long way
In Japanese shops, it is polite to start with すみません (Sumimasen) to call a staff member. When asking about items, use 〜ですか to keep questions polite. Staff may use casual forms among themselves, but they will usually respond politely to customers. Avoid touching fabrics without permission; ask first with 触ってもいいですか (Sawatte mo ii desu ka, May I touch it?).
One thing to watch for
Using これは何ですか (What is this?) without mentioning 端切れ, which may be too vague.
Try this instead: Say この端切れは何ですか to be specific. If you just say これは何ですか, the staff might not know you are asking about the fabric scrap. Adding 端切れ makes your question clear.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you ask 'Is this kimono fabric?' in Japanese?
Show a sample answer
これは着物の生地ですか。
This uses これは (this) + 着物の生地 (kimono fabric) + ですか (question marker). You can also say 着物の生地ですか if the item is already clear from context.
2What does 端切れ mean?
Show a sample answer
Fabric offcut or remnant.
端切れ refers to a piece of leftover fabric, often from cutting a larger garment. It is a common term in secondhand fabric shops.
3How would you ask if the fabric is silk?
Show a sample answer
絹ですか。
絹 (kinu) means silk. Adding ですか makes it a polite question. You can also ask これは絹ですか (Is this silk?).
Use この端切れは何ですか to ask what a fabric scrap is, and 着物の生地ですか to ask if it is kimono fabric. Add すみません for politeness, and listen for はい or いいえ in replies.
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