美しい曲
utsukushii kyoku
The English phrase "beautiful song" is translated into Japanese as 美しい曲 (utsukushii kyoku).
The phrase is used to describe a piece of music that is pleasing to the ear or emotionally moving.
Which one should you use?
In Japanese, the choice of word changes the nuance of the beauty. The word 美しい (utsukushii) implies a profound, aesthetic or sublime beauty.
How does it change in a sentence?
In the phrase 美しい曲, the adjective 美しい (utsukushii) directly precedes the noun 曲 (kyoku) to modify it.
How do you pronounce it?
utsukushii kyoku
Did you know?
- The word 曲 (kyoku) can also refer to a 'bend' or a 'curve' in a road or a river. A 'beautiful song' and a 'beautiful curve' share the exact same noun in Japanese.
- In traditional Japanese music, the concept of beauty is often tied to 間 (ma), the intentional silence or space between notes, making the silence as 'beautiful' as the sound.
- When praising a song, a Japanese person might say it is きれい (kirei). While this usually means 'clean' or 'tidy', in a musical context it refers to a clear and pure melody.
Examples in context
- そのアーティストは美しい歌を歌うことで有名だ。That artist is famous for singing beautiful songs.
- このコンサートでは素晴らしい曲が披露されます。This concert will showcase wonderful songs.
- このアーティストの新曲、めちゃくちゃ素敵な曲だと思わない？Don't you think this artist's new song is super fantastic?
- これはとても美しい曲ですね。Kore wa totemo utsukushii kyoku desu ne.This is a very beautiful song, isn't it?
- 彼は美しい曲を演奏しました。Kare wa utsukushii kyoku o ensou shimashita.He played a beautiful song.
- あの美しい曲の名前は何ですか？Ano utsukushii kyoku no namae wa nan desu ka?What is the name of that beautiful song?
Example conversation
Misaki and Ren are listening to a piano piece together.
- 蓮 Ren蓮、この曲はどう思う？Ren, kono kyoku wa dō omou?Ren, what do you think of this song?
- 美咲 Misaki本当に美しい曲だね。Hontō ni utsukushii kyoku da ne.It really is a beautiful song.
- 蓮 Ren私もそう思うわ。Watashi mo sō omou wa.I think so too.
- 美咲 Misaki心が落ち着くよ。Kokoro ga ochitsuku yo.It calms my heart.
