Daily Japanese

Reading Clothing Care Notes in Japanese: Net, Inside Out and No Iron

Care symbols may have short Japanese notes beside them. Read these notes as well as the symbols on your own garment. This lesson focuses on the words, not a complete set of washing instructions.

服ふくの ラベルには、記号きごうと 言葉ことばが あります。言葉ことばも 読よみましょう。

A woman turning the dial of a washing machine at home

Words to read first

Japanese / readingRomajiEnglish
洗濯せんたくネット使用しようsentaku netto shiyōUse a laundry net
裏返うらがえしuragaeshiInside out
あて布ぬのatenunoA cloth placed between the iron and garment
飾かざり部分ぶぶんkazari bubunDecorative part
禁止きんしkinshiNot allowed

Practice: read the sample, then answer Q1–Q4

Fictional practice material made for this lesson. It is not an actual product label, shop slip or facility notice. Use only this sample to answer Q1–Q4.

れんしゅう用よう：付記用語ふきようごだけの 抜ぬき出だし

① 洗濯せんたくネット使用しよう
② 裏返うらがえしに して 洗あらう
③ あて布ぬの使用しよう
④ 飾かざり部分ぶぶんアイロン禁止きんし

This is a practice extract of notes, not a complete care label. It does not specify a washing temperature or an iron temperature.

  1. Q1. 洗あらう とき、何なにを 使つかいますか。

    Which item does note ① ask you to use?

    Q1 — Answer and how to find it

    洗濯せんたくネットです。

    Find 使用しよう (use), then read the noun before it: 洗濯ネットせんたくネット.

  2. Q2. ②は、服ふくを どう しますか。

    What should you do to the garment before washing, according to ②?

    Q2 — Answer and how to find it

    裏返うらがえしに します。

    Find 裏返しうらがえし. It means turn it inside out; it does not mean turn it upside down.

  3. Q3. ④は、どの 部分ぶぶんに アイロンを 使つかっては いけませんか。

    Which part must not be ironed according to ④?

    Q3 — Answer and how to find it

    飾かざり部分ぶぶんです。

    Find 禁止きんし, then read the scope 飾り部分かざりぶぶん. Do not change a restriction on one part into a claim that the entire garment can be ironed.

  4. Q4. この 抜ぬき出だしで、洗あらう 温度おんどが 分わかりますか。

    Can you find a washing temperature in this extract?

    Q4 — Answer and how to find it

    いいえ。温度おんどは 書かいて ありません。

    Check all four notes: none gives a temperature. Read the full actual care label; do not choose a temperature from these notes alone.

Phrases to use

Read aloud or show the Japanese sentence.

この 記号きごうは どういう 意味いみですか。

What does this symbol mean?

この 服ふくの 洗あらい方かたを 教おしえて ください。

Please explain how to wash this garment.

Review

Cover the English meanings. Find three Japanese words in the sample and say which field or condition each word helps you read. Then answer Q1–Q4 again without opening the answers.

Real-world reference

The Consumer Affairs Agency lists these kinds of notes as optional information beside care symbols. They add instructions that symbols alone may not express. On the official chart, an × over a basic symbol prohibits that treatment. Use the linked current official chart to identify a real symbol; this page does not reproduce or replace the complete chart.

服ふくの ラベルは、記号きごうの 近ちかくの 言葉ことばも 読よみます。

この 練習れんしゅうには、洗あらう 温度おんどなどの 情報じょうほうが ありません。

本物ほんものの ラベルを 全部ぜんぶ 読よんで ください。記号きごうの 意味いみは、消費者庁しょうひしゃちょうの 表ひょうで 確認かくにんできます。

Official sources checked: October 23, 2026. Practice text, dates, amounts and questions were created for this lesson.