袖（そで、sode）
- sleeve

The Japanese word 袖 (そで, *sode*) primarily refers to "sleeve(s)" of a garment. It's the part of a piece of clothing that covers the arm, from the shoulder or armhole down to the wrist or further. It can describe sleeves of various lengths and styles.

⚫︎このセーターの袖が長いですね。 Translation: The sleeves of this sweater are long, aren't they? ⚫︎彼女は袖なしのドレスを着ていた。 Translation: She was wearing a sleeveless dress. ⚫︎袖をまくってください。 Translation: Please roll up your sleeves.

袖 is used in everyday conversation to describe the sleeves of clothing. It is a common word, and you can use it to talk about the length, style, or condition of the sleeve. It is also used in a figurative sense in some idioms.

The word 袖 is most commonly written in kanji: 袖. The reading is そで in hiragana. There are no other common ways to write this word. The okurigana is standard.

There are no direct synonyms for 袖 that specifically mean "sleeve." However, you might use more descriptive phrases to clarify, such as: ・長そで (*naga-sode*): long sleeve ・半そで (*han-sode*): short sleeve ・腕 (*ude*): arm (which can sometimes be used in a context referring to sleeves, but is not a direct synonym)

There aren't direct antonyms for 袖 because it describes a part of the garment. Instead, you would describe something that *doesn't* have sleeves using phrases like: ・袖なし (*sode nashi*): sleeveless ・タンクトップ (*tanku-toppu*): tank top (which is a type of sleeveless top)

コートの袖が少し擦り切れてしまった。 ・Translation: The sleeve of my coat has gotten a little worn. ・Explanation: This sentence describes the condition of a sleeve.

このシャツの袖は七分丈です。 ・Translation: The sleeves of this shirt are three-quarter length. ・Explanation: This sentence describes the length of the sleeve.

The etymology of 袖 is not precisely known, but it likely originates from the Old Japanese word, which referred to the covering for the arm.