Comparing Jackets Before Buying | Learn Japanese in English

Sentence explanations

1. この二つのジャケットはとてもよく似ています。

   These two jackets look very similar.

   この

   this; these

   二つ

   two things

   ジャケット

   jacket

   とても

   very

   よく

   closely; very much

   似ています

   look similar

   More detail

   この means “this” or “these” before a noun phrase. Its number is not marked on この itself; the singular or plural interpretation comes from the noun phrase and context. Related forms include その “that/those near the listener” and あの “that/those over there.” Here, この modifies 二つのジャケット. 二つ is the native Japanese counter expression for two general things. つ belongs to the general series 一つ, 二つ, 三つ, and so on. In this sentence, it identifies two items rather than people. The following の links this quantity phrase to the noun: 二つのジャケット means “two jackets.” ジャケット is the noun “jacket.” It is a loanword written in katakana. Japanese uses の to connect a quantity or description to a noun, as in 二つのジャケット “two jackets.” とても is an adverb meaning “very.” It increases the degree of the following description. For example, とても大きい means “very large.” よく can be the adverbial form related to よい/いい “good,” but in よく似ています it expresses a high degree of resemblance: “closely” or “very much.” It is not best translated as “well” in this sentence. The construction よく似ている is a useful way to say that two things resemble each other closely. 似ています is the polite nonpast form of 似ている, from the verb 似る “resemble” or “be similar.” The ている form here describes an existing state of similarity rather than an action currently being performed. The polite ending ます suits neutral polite conversation. The complete structure is この + 二つのジャケットは + とてもよく似ています: “These two jackets look very similar.” は marks この二つのジャケット as the topic, and the predicate says that the two items are in a state of close resemblance. The following context about comparing their fabric and fit is compatible with this reading, but it does not change the sentence’s basic meaning.

2. 生地とサイズ感を比べましょう。

   Let's compare the fabric and fit.

   生地

   fabric

   サイズ感

   fit; sense of size

   比べましょう

   let’s compare

   More detail

   生地 means “fabric” here, the material being compared. It is a noun and can be used in patterns such as 生地が柔らかい (“The fabric is soft.”). Do not confuse it with a garment itself: it refers to the textile material. サイズ感 is a noun built from サイズ (“size”) and 感 (“sense” or “feel”). In this sentence it means the perceived fit or impression of the size, rather than merely a numerical size. For example, この服はサイズ感がいい means “This garment has a good fit.” 比べましょう comes from the verb 比べる, “to compare.” The ending ましょう is the polite volitional form, used here to propose an action: “let’s compare.” The verb is not simply a present-tense statement; it presents the comparison as a joint suggestion. For example, 二つを比べましょう means “Let’s compare the two.” The particle と links 生地 and サイズ感 as the two things to compare. Together, 生地とサイズ感を比べましょう means “Let’s compare the fabric and fit.”

3. こちらは軽く感じます。

   This one feels light.

   こちらは

   this one

   軽く

   lightly

   感じます

   feels

   More detail

   こちらは sets “this one” as the topic. こちら is a polite demonstrative that can refer to something relatively near the speaker or to a choice being indicated; here, the fixed translation identifies it as “this one.” は marks the topic. The form itself does not specify a noun’s gender or number. 軽く is the adverbial form of the i-adjective 軽い (“light”). The final い changes to く when the adjective describes how an action or perception occurs: 軽い → 軽く. Here it describes the sensation produced by the item, so 軽く感じます means that it feels light. Example: 荷物を軽くする。 — “Make the luggage lighter.” 感じます is the polite nonpast form of 感じる, “to feel” or “to perceive”: 感じる → 感じます. In this sentence, the nonpast form states the speaker’s present assessment; it does not by itself mark a future event. Example: 違いを感じます。 — “I feel a difference.” Together, こちらは (“this one,” as the topic), 軽く (“light” in adverbial form), and 感じます (“feels”) produce: “This one feels light.”

4. 生地が薄そうです。

   The fabric seems thin.

   生地

   fabric

   薄そうです

   seems thin

   More detail

   生地 means “fabric” or “material,” and it is the noun being described here. A useful pattern is 生地が + description, with が marking the subject of the description. Example: 生地が柔らかいです。 — “The fabric is soft.” 薄そうです expresses an appearance-based judgment: “seems thin.” It is formed from the adjective 薄い (“thin”) plus そうです, which means that something appears to have that quality. With an i-adjective, the final い is removed before そうです: 薄い → 薄そうです. This is different from 薄いです, which simply says “is thin.” The です ending makes the statement polite. Example: このスープは熱そうです。 — “This soup looks hot.” Together, 生地が薄そうです。 means “The fabric seems thin.” The sentence presents thinness as an impression based on how the fabric appears, rather than as an unequivocal statement that it is thin.

5. もう一つは、もっとしっかりしていて暖かく感じます。

   The other one feels sturdier and warmer.

   もう一つは

   the other one

   もっとしっかりしていて

   being sturdier / more solid

   暖かく

   warm

   感じます

   feel

   More detail

   もう一つは presents one item as the topic: もう一つ means “the other one” or “one more,” and は marks it as what the sentence is about. Here, the fixed translation supports the choice “the other one”; it does not identify the item more specifically. Example: もう一つは赤いです。 — “The other one is red.” もっとしっかりしていて describes that item as sturdier, with もっと making the description stronger in comparison: “more solid” or “sturdier.” しっかりしている is the relevant base expression for being firm, solid, or dependable; しっかりしていて uses its て-form to connect this description to what follows. The て-form here does not by itself specify a separate tense. Example: この椅子はもっとしっかりしています。 — “This chair is sturdier.” 暖かく comes from the i-adjective 暖かい (“warm”). The ending -く changes the adjective into a form that can modify the following verb: 暖かく感じる means “feel warm.” This is the adjective’s adverbial form, not a separate adjective. Example: 部屋を暖かくします。 — “I make the room warm.” 感じます is the polite nonpast form of 感じる, “to feel” or “to perceive.” In this sentence, it expresses the speaker’s perception of the item’s warmth, rather than simply asserting a measured temperature. The pattern adjective-く感じる is reusable for saying that something feels a certain way: 軽く感じます。 — “It feels light.” Together, もう一つは sets the other item as the topic, もっとしっかりしていて describes it as sturdier, and 暖かく感じます says that it feels warm. The complete meaning is: “The other one feels sturdier and warmer.”

6. それは普段使いにいいかもしれません。

   That might be better for everyday use.

   それは

   that

   普段使いに

   for everyday use

   いい

   good; suitable

   かもしれません

   might; may be

   More detail

   それは means “that” as the topic. それ is a demonstrative pronoun for something identified in the situation or conversation; は marks it as the topic. Here, the fixed translation supports “that,” but it does not identify exactly what the item is. Example: これは新しいです。 — “This is new.” 普段使いに expresses suitability for everyday use. 普段 means “usual” or “everyday,” and 使い is the noun form of 使う (“to use”), meaning “use” in this compound. The particle に marks the purpose or situation for which something is suitable. Example: 旅行用に便利です。 — “It is convenient for travel.” いい is an adjective meaning “good” or, in this context, “suitable.” Its form does not show gender or number. The negative form is よくない, not いいない. In this sentence, いい describes the item introduced by それは as suitable for everyday use. Example: この靴は歩きやすくていいです。 — “These shoes are good because they are easy to walk in.” かもしれません makes the statement tentative: “might” or “may.” It is the polite form of かもしれない; the preceding adjective remains in its ordinary form, so いいかもしれません means “might be good” or “might be suitable.” Example: 明日は雨かもしれません。 — “It might rain tomorrow.” Together, それは sets “that” as the topic, 普段使いに gives the intended use, and いいかもしれません says tentatively that it is suitable for that use. Thus the utterance means: “That might be better for everyday use.” The Japanese wording uses いい (“good/suitable”); the fixed English translation presents that suitability as “better,” without an explicit comparative form in the Japanese sentence.

7. まず試着して、着心地を確かめましょう。

   Try it on first and see how it feels.

   まず

   first

   試着して

   try it on

   着心地

   wearing comfort; how it feels to wear

   確かめましょう

   let’s check

   More detail

   まず means “first” or “to begin with.” It marks the first step in an ordered series. Example: まず名前を書いてください。 — “First, please write your name.” 試着して comes from 試着する, “to try on [clothing].” The observed form is the て-form of the verb: 試着する → 試着して. Here, the て-form links this action to the following action, so the meaning is “try it on and then check…”. Japanese often leaves the object unstated when the context makes it clear; the fixed translation identifies it as “it.” Example: この靴を試着してみます。 — “I’ll try these shoes on.” 着心地 means the comfort or feel of something while wearing it. It is a noun used for the experience of wearing clothing, shoes, or a similar item; it does not simply mean the item’s appearance or general quality. Example: このジャケットは着心地がいいです。 — “This jacket is comfortable to wear.” 確かめましょう comes from the transitive verb 確かめる, “to check” or “to make sure.” 〜ましょう is the polite volitional form, commonly used for a suggestion or invitation meaning “let’s …”. Thus 確かめましょう proposes checking the wearing experience together; it is not the plain present form 確かめる. Example: サイズを確かめましょう。 — “Let’s check the size.” Together, まず試着して sets the first action, and 着心地を確かめましょう gives the suggested next action and its object: “let’s check the comfort or feel of wearing it.” The whole utterance therefore means, “Try it on first and see how it feels.”

8. 決める前に、両方試着します。

   I will try both before I decide.

   決める

   decide

   前に

   before

   両方

   both

   試着します

   try on

   More detail

   決める means “to decide” here. It is the dictionary form, used before 前に in a time expression; Japanese commonly uses this plain form in such subordinate phrases rather than changing it to a polite form. Example: 寝る前に、歯を磨きます。 — “I brush my teeth before going to bed.” 前に means “before.” In the reusable pattern V-る前に, the verb in dictionary form names the action that has not yet happened, and the main action occurs first in time relative to it. Thus 決める前に means “before deciding.” 両方 means “both,” referring to the two items understood in this situation. It functions as the object of 試着します. A useful contrast is 片方 — “one of the two” — while 両方 includes the two together. 試着します means “will try on” here. The verb is 試着する, “to try on [clothing]”; します is its polite nonpast form. In this sentence, the nonpast form is understood as a planned or intended future action, matching “I will try both.” Example: このコートを試着します。 — “I will try on this coat.” Together, 決める前に sets the time—“before deciding”—and 両方試着します says that the speaker will try on both items. The omitted subject is understood as “I” from the fixed translation. The complete meaning is: “I will try both before I decide.”

9. そうすれば、選びやすくなるはずです。

   That should make the choice easier.

   そうすれば

   if you do that; then

   選びやすく

   easy to choose

   なる

   become

   はずです

   should; be expected to

   More detail

   そうすれば means “if that is done” or “if you do that.” It is the conditional form of そうする (“do that”), formed with -ば. The pattern Xすれば、… means “if one does X, …” or “if X happens, …”; the subject is supplied by context rather than by this expression itself. 選びやすく contains 選ぶ (“choose”) and やすい (“easy to do”). 選びやすい uses the pattern verb stem + やすい, meaning “easy to do.” The ending changes to やすく before なる, so 選びやすくなる means “become easy to choose.” For example, この靴は歩きやすい。 means “These shoes are easy to walk in.” A useful opposite pattern is verb stem + にくい, as in 歩きにくい (“difficult to walk in”). なる means “become” or “come to be.” Here it follows 選びやすく and describes a change into the state of being easy to choose. なる is the plain nonpast form required before はずです; the polite form of this complete expression is not made by replacing it with なります before はずです. はずです marks an expectation supported by the situation: “should” or “is expected to be the case.” It expresses an expected result here, not an instruction or obligation. はず is a noun referring to what is expected, and です makes the ending polite. For example, 彼は来るはずです。 means “He is expected to come.” Together, そうすれば sets up the condition, 選びやすくなる describes the resulting change, and はずです presents that result as expected. The whole utterance means “If you do that, it should become easier to choose,” naturally matching the fixed translation: “That should make the choice easier.”