美しい魂
utsukushii tamashii
The English phrase "beautiful soul" is translated into Japanese as 美しい魂 (utsukushii tamashii).
美しい魂 is used to compliment someone's character, praise their inner beauty or acknowledge their pure spirit. This phrase is used in poetic, literary or spiritual contexts rather than in everyday casual conversation.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the adjective 美しい (utsukushii) meaning "beautiful" and the noun 魂 (tamashii) meaning "soul".
How do you pronounce it?
utsukushii tamashii
Did you know?
- The word 魂 (tamashii) is a cognate of the word たま (tama), which can mean 'ball' or 'sphere', reflecting an ancient belief that the soul was a round, luminous object.
- In Japanese culture, the concept of inner beauty is often linked to 心 (kokoro), a word that blends the meanings of 'heart', 'mind' and 'spirit' into one single concept.
- While 美しい魂 describes a soul, the word 魂 (tamashii) is also used in the term 魂を入れる (tamashii o ireru), which means to put one's heart and soul into a craft or piece of art.
Examples in context
- 彼女は美しい魂を持っている。Kanojo wa utsukushii tamashii o motte iru.She has a beautiful soul.
- 美しい魂は時代を超越する。Utsukushii tamashii wa jidai o chouetsu suru.A beautiful soul transcends time.
- その物語は美しい魂を描いている。Sono monogatari wa utsukushii tamashii o egaite iru.That story depicts a beautiful soul.
Example conversation
Kenta and Yui are discussing a character from a book.
- 健太 Kentaこの主人公は美しい魂の持ち主だね。Kono shujinkou wa utsukushii tamashii no mochinushi da ne.This protagonist has a beautiful soul, doesn't he?
- 結衣 Yuiはい、健太さん。本当に感動しました。Hai, Kenta-san. Hontou ni kandou shimashita.Yes, Kenta. I was truly moved.
- 健太 Kenta結衣さんもそう思う？Yui-san mo sou omou?Do you think so too, Yui?
- 結衣 Yuiええ、とても素晴らしい女性の物語です。Ee, totemo subarashii josei no monogatari desu.Yes, it is a wonderful story of a woman.
