模様（もよう、moyou）
- pattern

The Japanese word 模様模様, pronounced もよう, primarily means "pattern," "design," or "figure." It describes a repeated design or the general appearance of something. However, 模様模様 also has several other meanings, including "situation," "circumstance," or "state of affairs," implying a general impression or a sense of what is happening. Furthermore, it can refer to "intention" or "sign," indicating a hint or a suggestion of something.

⚫︎着物の模様 Translation: The kimono's pattern ⚫︎空の模様 Translation: The state of the sky / The sky's appearance ⚫︎何か企んでいる模様だ Translation: It seems like they're plotting something / There's a sign they are plotting something.

⚫︎You can use 模様模様 when describing the patterns on fabric, wallpaper, or any surface. ⚫︎It's used to talk about the weather, like the condition of the sky. ⚫︎模様模様 can also be used to infer the current situation or future events based on observable clues or actions. ⚫︎When suggesting a hint or impression.

⚫︎The word 模様模様 is typically written in kanji: 模様. ⚫︎It is also frequently written in hiragana: もよう. ⚫︎The okurigana (the suffix hiragana) is standard.

⚫︎柄(gara): Pattern, design (mainly for fabric or specific designs) ⚫︎デザイン(dezain): Design (loanword) ⚫︎状態(joutai): State, condition, situation ⚫︎様子(youzu): Aspect, situation,様子. ⚫︎兆し(kizashi): Sign, indication.

⚫︎Direct antonyms for 模様模様 are not easily found, as its meaning is quite broad. However, for a patterned design, you could consider "plain" or "solid." For situation related meanings, there are no direct antonyms.

この布の模様は美しい。 ・Translation: The pattern on this fabric is beautiful. ・Explanation: This sentence uses 模様模様 to describe the aesthetic quality of a pattern on a piece of cloth.

雨が降りそうな模様だ。 ・Translation: It looks like it's going to rain. ・Explanation: This sentence uses 模様模様 to indicate an impression or a sign of approaching rain based on the weather conditions.

The etymology of 模様模様 isn't precisely clear, but it likely developed from the combination of 物(mono), meaning "thing" or "object," and 様(you), meaning "appearance" or "form." Together, they evolved to convey the general impression of a "thing's appearance" or the "state of affairs."