美しい空
utsukushii sora
In Japanese, "beautiful sky" is translated as 美しい空 (utsukushii sora).
This phrase describes the appearance of the sky when it is visually pleasing or attractive. Other related terms include 夜空 (night sky) and Ao, which refers to the color blue.
Which one should you use?
The term 美しい空 uses the adjective 美しい (utsukushii), which is more poetic and formal.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective 美しい (utsukushii) directly precedes the noun 空 (sora) to modify it.
How do you pronounce it?
utsukushii sora
Did you know?
- The word 空 (sora) is written with a character that combines the radicals for 'roof' and 'hole', literally depicting an opening to the heavens.
- When talking about a 'blue sky', Japanese speakers may use ao (blue) or aoi (blue), but historically, ao was used to describe a range of colors including green. Ancient descriptions of a 'blue sky' could technically have referred to a greenish hue.
- While 美しい空 describes a beautiful sky, the Japanese word sora can also mean 'emptiness' or 'void' in a Buddhist context. This creates a poetic duality where a beautiful sky represents both vast presence and profound nothingness.
Examples in context
- 美しい空を見上げました。Utsukushii sora o miagemashita.I looked up at the beautiful sky.
- あの美しい空を見て！Ano utsukushii sora o mite!Look at that beautiful sky!
Example conversation
A couple standing on a balcony at sunset.
- 結衣 Yui大翔くん、見て。本当に美しい空だね。Hiroto-kun, mite. Hontō ni utsukushii sora da ne.Hiroto, look. It is a truly beautiful sky.
- 大翔 Hiroto本当だ。結衣の言う通り、すごく綺麗だよ。Hontō da. Yui no iu tōri, sugoku kirei da yo.You're right. Just as you say, Yui, it's very pretty.
- 結衣 Yuiずっと見ていたい気分。Zutto mite itai kibun.I feel like I could watch it forever.
- 大翔 Hirotoそうだね。最高の夕焼けだ。Sō da ne. Saikō no yūyake da.Indeed. It's the best sunset.
