Unique vs Uniqlo Quiz: Test Yourself
Five quick questions on unique vs Uniqlo. Pick an answer to get instant feedback.
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Adjective: one of a kind.
“Every snowflake has a unique shape.”
Proper noun: a Japanese clothing brand.
“I bought a fleece at Uniqlo.”
Not the brand’s spelling.
The intended contraction of “unique clothing” was Uni-Clo, but the brand is spelled Uniqlo.
The original store name.
The first store opened in Hiroshima in 1984 under this name.
The unique vs Uniqlo mix-up is common because the two look and sound alike. One is an everyday English word. The other is a clothing brand whose name was made from that word. Here is how to tell them apart and use each correctly.
| Term | Meaning | Part of speech / Category | Example sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| unique | One of a kind; unlike anything else | Adjective | Each handmade mug has a unique glaze. |
| Uniqlo | A Japanese casual-wear clothing brand | Proper noun (brand name) | She found a warm jacket at Uniqlo. |
What does “unique” mean?
Unique is an adjective meaning one of a kind, or unlike anything else. The word came into English from French, which took it from the Latin unicus, meaning “only” or “single.”
You can use it for people, places, objects or ideas: “She has a unique voice.” It is pronounced yoo-NEEK, and it is a regular lowercase word unless it starts a sentence.
What is Uniqlo?
Uniqlo is a Japanese casual-wear brand and part of the retail group Fast Retailing. The first store opened in Hiroshima in 1984 under the name Unique Clothing Warehouse.
Because it is a brand name, it is a proper noun and always starts with a capital U. It is pronounced YOO-nee-kloh. You shop at Uniqlo, but you describe a one-of-a-kind item as unique.
Is Uniqlo a real word?
No, Uniqlo is not a standard English word. It is a brand name that was coined as a shortened form of “unique clothing,” so it has no meaning outside the brand itself.
Why is Uniqlo spelled with a Q?
The spelling is widely reported to be a clerical accident. The name was meant to be registered as Uni-Clo, short for “unique clothing.”
According to these accounts, the “C” was misread as a “Q” when the brand was registered in Hong Kong in 1988. Founder Tadashi Yanai liked the result and kept it. That is why the brand has a Q where you might expect a C.
Unique vs Uniqlo: what is the main difference?
The main difference is that unique is a word and Uniqlo is a brand. Use unique when you want to say something is one of a kind. Use Uniqlo when you mean the store or its clothes.
They also differ in spelling and capitalization. Unique ends in “-que” and is lowercase. Uniqlo ends in “-qlo” and always has a capital U.
How can you remember which one to use?
Ask yourself whether you are naming a store or describing something. If it is a store, write Uniqlo. If you are describing something, write unique. The memory tricks below make it even easier.
Common mistakes
- ✗ I love shopping at Unique.
✓ I love shopping at Uniqlo. - ✗ Every snowflake is Uniqlo.
✓ Every snowflake is unique. - ✗ I bought a shirt from Uniclo.
✓ I bought a shirt from Uniqlo. - ✗ I got these socks at uniqlo.
✓ I got these socks at Uniqlo. - ✗ She has a Uniqlo talent.
✓ She has a unique talent.
Memory tricks
- Shop or describe: If you can shop there, it is Uniqlo. If you can describe something with it, it is unique.
- The swap test: Replace the word with “one of a kind.” If the sentence still makes sense, use unique.
- Spot the clothing: The “clo” in Uniqlo stands for clothing, with a Q squeezed in. Unique ends in “-que,” like antique and boutique.
FAQ
Is Uniqlo the same as unique?
No. Unique is an English adjective meaning one of a kind. Uniqlo is a Japanese clothing brand whose name was built from the words unique clothing.
How do you pronounce Uniqlo?
Uniqlo is pronounced YOO-nee-kloh. The English word unique is pronounced yoo-NEEK.
Is Uniqlo a Japanese brand?
Yes. Uniqlo is a Japanese casual-wear brand that opened its first store in Hiroshima in 1984. It is part of the retail group Fast Retailing.
Why is Uniqlo spelled with a Q?
The name was meant to be Uni-Clo, short for unique clothing. According to widely reported accounts, the C was misread as a Q when the brand was registered in Hong Kong in 1988, and the company kept the spelling.
Can you say very unique?
Many style guides advise against it, because unique is usually treated as an absolute meaning one of a kind. Words like rare, unusual or distinctive work better when you want to show degree.
Conclusion
Now you know the unique vs Uniqlo difference: unique describes something one of a kind, while Uniqlo is a capitalized clothing brand with a Q in its name. Share this with someone who mixes these up.