How to Say Sandals in Japanese (Without Tripping Over Your Tongue)
Ah, sandals. The ultimate warm-weather footwear. Whether you’re strolling on the beach, running errands, or just too lazy to put on socks, sandals have your back—well, your feet. But what happens when you find yourself in Japan, staring at a row of stylish footwear, and suddenly realize… you have no idea how to say ‘sandals’ in Japanese? 😱
Don’t worry, my friend. You won’t have to resort to pointing and miming a flip-flop. By the end of this post, you’ll know exactly how to talk about sandals in Japanese like a pro. And who knows? Maybe you’ll impress that cool shopkeeper in Harajuku. Read on to find out… 👀
1. The Basic Word: サンダル (Sandaru)
Let’s start simple. The most common way to say ‘sandals’ in Japanese is サンダル (sandaru). Yes, it’s literally the English word ‘sandal’ but with a Japanese pronunciation twist. Easy, right? Just say it with confidence, and you’re already halfway there.
🎯 Example:
- Kono sandaru wa ikura desu ka? → “How much are these sandals?”
- Atarashii sandaru o katta! → “I bought new sandals!”
But wait… there’s more! Because Japan LOVES specificity, especially when it comes to footwear.
2. The Traditional Side: Geta (下駄) and Zōri (草履)
If you’ve ever watched a samurai movie or strolled through a summer festival in Japan, you’ve probably seen those wooden sandals that look like tiny platforms. Those are called geta (下駄).
Think of geta as the ancestor of modern flip-flops. They’re wooden, often worn with yukata, and make a satisfying clip-clop sound when you walk. Kinda like an old-school Japanese version of Crocs—except way cooler.
👘 Example:
- Natsu matsuri de geta o haita. → “I wore geta at the summer festival.”
Now, if you want something a little softer, you go for zōri (草履). These are flatter, usually made of straw, and were historically worn by samurai. You know, because even warriors needed comfy shoes.
🗡 Example:
- Samurai wa yoku zōri o haiteta. → “Samurai often wore zōri.”
3. Beach Vibes: ビーチサンダル (Bīchi Sandaru)
You probably guessed this one. If you’re talking about flip-flops, the word you’re looking for is ビーチサンダル (bīchi sandaru), which literally means “beach sandals.”
🏖 Example:
- Bīchi de bīchi sandaru o wasureta! → “I forgot my flip-flops at the beach!” 😭
Pro tip: If you just say サンダル, most Japanese people will assume you mean open-toed casual sandals, not flip-flops.
4. The Stylish and the Strange: Other Types of Sandals
Now that you’ve mastered the basics, let’s get fancy. Here are a few more sandal variations:
- スポーツサンダル (Supōtsu Sandaru) → “Sports sandals.” The rugged type you wear on hikes (or when you want to look like you might go on a hike).
- スリッパ (Surippa) → Technically means “slippers,” but sometimes used for casual indoor sandals.
- シャワーサンダル (Shawā Sandaru) → “Shower sandals.” Yes, they have a word specifically for those plastic slides you wear in communal showers.
🧐 Example:
- Onsen de shawā sandaru wa hitsuyou nai yo! → “You don’t need shower sandals at the hot spring!”
5. Bonus: Sandal Etiquette in Japan
Alright, you now know how to say ‘sandals’ in Japanese. But before you rush off to buy a pair, let’s talk etiquette. Japan takes shoe manners very seriously.
🚪 Things to Remember:
- No sandals indoors 🚫—Most homes, traditional restaurants, and temples will ask you to remove your shoes at the entrance.
- Keep ‘em quiet 🤫—That flip-flop slap slap slap noise? Not so cool in Japan. Try to walk lightly.
- Socks with sandals? 🧦—You might see people wearing tabi socks with geta or zōri, but outside of that… it’s still a crime against fashion.
Final Thoughts: So, Which Sandal Type is Your Vibe?
Whether you’re rocking a pair of サンダル, keeping it traditional with 下駄, or just grabbing some ビーチサンダル for summer, you now have the vocabulary (and the etiquette) to navigate the sandal scene in Japan like a pro.
So, what’s your sandal style? Are you more of a geta warrior 🏯 or a bīchi sandaru beach bum 🏖? Let me know in the comments!
And if you want more fun, quirky insights into Japanese culture, stick around—there’s plenty more where this came from. 😉