Noun
/jʊˈkɑːtə/
A yukata is a casual summer kimono made of cotton or synthetic fabric, typically worn by both men and women in Japan. It is often worn during festivals, at hot springs (onsen), or in home settings. The yukata is characterized by its lightweight and breathable material, making it suitable for warm weather. The frequency of use is moderately high, particularly in Japan, where cultural festivals and traditions are prevalent. It is more commonly used in written contexts when discussing traditional clothing, though it may arise in oral speech, especially during cultural events.
The young girl wore a beautiful yukata during the summer festival.
(La giovane ragazza indossava un bellissimo yukata durante il festival estivo.)
At the onsen, guests are often provided with a yukata to wear while relaxing.
(All’onsen, gli ospiti ricevono spesso un yukata da indossare mentre si rilassano.)
My grandmother taught me how to properly wear a yukata.
(Mia nonna mi ha insegnato a indossare correttamente un yukata.)
While "yukata" itself is not commonly used in idiomatic expressions, it signifies an important cultural attire associated with specific activities and events in Japan. Below are some idiomatic contexts related to "yukata":
"Wear a yukata to celebrate the summer matsuri."
(Indossare un yukata per celebrare il matsuri estivo.)
"He decided to don a yukata for the fireworks display."
(Ha deciso di indossare un yukata per lo spettacolo di fuochi d'artificio.)
"On hot days, a yukata is the perfect choice for comfort."
(Nei giorni caldi, un yukata è la scelta perfetta per il comfort.)
"During obon, wearing a yukata is a way to honor ancestors."
(Durante l'obon, indossare un yukata è un modo per onorare gli antenati.)
"It's traditional to see couples in matching yukata during summer festivals."
(È tradizionale vedere coppie in yukata abbinati durante i festival estivi.)
The word yukata (浴衣) comes from Japanese, where "yuku" (浴) means "to bathe" and "ta" (多) translates to "cloth," which indicates that this garment originally served as a bathrobe used by those visiting hot springs or baths.
In conclusion, the yukata is a significant garment in Japanese culture, embodying comfort and tradition, particularly during warm weather and festive occasions. It serves as both a practical and fashionably traditional piece of attire that connects people with their cultural heritage.