Gujarati Clothing: Traditional and Modern Vocabulary
Words for everyday and traditional Gujarati clothing, from sari and chaniya choli to kediyu, with phrases for shopping, sizes and festivals.
Gujarati clothing ranges from everyday wear to richly embroidered festive outfits. The vocabulary is a good way into the culture and crafts of the region.
Everyday clothes
- કપડાં — clothes
- શર્ટ — shirt
- ટી-શર્ટ
- પેન્ટ — trousers
- જીન્સ
- કુર્તો — kurta, a long shirt
- પાયજામો — pyjama-style trousers
- સાડી — sari
- સલવાર કમીઝ / ડ્રેસ — women's suit
- સ્કર્ટ / ફ્રોક — skirt / frock
- સ્વેટર — sweater
- જેકેટ
- ટોપી — cap, hat
- ચંપલ — slippers, sandals
- બૂટ — shoes
- મોજાં — socks
Traditional clothing
- ચણિયાચોળી — the colourful skirt and blouse worn by women for garba; often mirror-work embroidered
- ઓઢણી / દુપટ્ટો — the long scarf worn with it
- કેડિયું — men's traditional short jacket, often worn with ધોતી or ચોરણી (loose trousers)
- ધોતી — a wrapped lower garment for men
- પાઘડી / ફેંટો — turban
- બાંધણી — tie-dyed cloth, a Gujarati speciality
- પટોળા — a double-ikat silk woven in Patan, one of the most prized textiles in India
- અજરખ — a block-printed textile from Kutch
- ભરતકામ — embroidery, famous in Kutch and Saurashtra
- કચ્છી ભરતકામ — Kutchi embroidery
Patola weaving from Patan and the embroidery of Kutch are celebrated crafts, and are often sold in markets and craft fairs.
Fabrics and colours
- કપાસ / સુતરાઉ — cotton
- રેશમ — silk
- ઊન — wool
- ચામડું — leather
- રંગ — colour: લાલ (red), વાદળી (blue), લીલો (green), પીળો (yellow), કાળો (black), સફેદ (white), ગુલાબી (pink), કેસરી (saffron), જાંબલી (purple)
Shopping for clothes
- મને આ જોઈએ છે. — I want this.
- આ કેટલાનું છે? — How much is this?
- બીજા રંગમાં છે? — Is it in another colour?
- મોટા / નાના માપમાં છે? — Is it in a bigger / smaller size?
- હું પહેરી જોઈ શકું? — Can I try it on?
- ટ્રાયલ રૂમ — trial room
- માપ / સાઇઝ — size
- બરાબર આવે છે. — It fits.
- થોડું ઢીલું / ટાઇટ છે. — It's a bit loose / tight.
- તમને સરસ લાગે છે. — It looks nice on you.
- થોડું ઓછું કરો. — Reduce the price a little.
- સેલ ચાલે છે. — There's a sale.
For festivals and weddings
- લગ્ન માટે કપડાં — clothes for a wedding
- શેરવાની — a long men's coat for weddings
- લહેંગા — women's festive skirt
- ઘરેણાં / દાગીના — jewellery
- સાફો — a headdress (turban) worn for weddings
Tailoring
Many people have clothes stitched by tailors:
- દરજી — tailor
- માપ લેવું — to take measurements
- સીવવું — to stitch
- ફિટિંગ — fitting
- તૈયાર કપડાં — ready-made clothes
Dress etiquette
- Wear modest clothes at temples and religious sites, covering shoulders and knees.
- Remove shoes before entering temples and often homes.
- Festive events call for bright, traditional outfits.
Learning tips
- Learn the names of everyday garments first.
- Recognise ચણિયાચોળી and કેડિયું.
- Use shopping phrases.
- Explore textiles like બાંધણી and પટોળા.
Common beginner errors
- Using masculine adjectives for feminine garments.
- Forgetting to remove shoes.
English Gujarati Dictionary
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