Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 美 | bi | [bʲi] (narrow) |
| 美しさ | utsukushisa |
The term refers to the quality of a pleasing appearance. You can use 美人 (bijin) to refer to a beautiful person, typically a woman. To describe something as 'beautiful' using an adjective, use the form 美しい (utsukushii). Examples of use include 美しい景色 (beautiful scenery), 美しい心 (beautiful heart) and その曲の美しさ (the beauty of that song).
What does it mean word for word?
The form 美しさ (utsukushisa) is created by adding the suffix -sa to the adjective stem to turn the quality into an abstract noun.
Which one should you use?
The single kanji form 美 (bi) is typically used as a prefix or as a component within compound words. In contrast, 美しさ (utsukushisa) is used to refer to the concept of beauty itself within a sentence.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The word 麗しさ is a more poetic and formal way to express beauty. This formal tone can be seen in phrases like 自然の麗しさ (natural beauty), 女性の麗しさ (feminine beauty) or 芸術作品の麗しさ (beauty of artistic works). Additionally, 美麗な can be used to describe things like 美麗な写真 (beautiful photograph) or 美麗なグラフィックス (beautiful graphics).
How does it change in a sentence?
The suffix -sa is added to the adjective stem to turn the quality into an abstract noun, as seen in the form 美しさ.
How do you pronounce it?
bi
Did you know?
- Japanese has a specific aesthetic called 'wabi-sabi' that finds beauty in imperfection, impermanence and incompleteness.
- The kanji 美 is often used in Japanese female names to represent the sound 'mi'.
- The term 美人 (bijin) specifically describes a beautiful person and is traditionally used almost exclusively for women.
Examples in context
- 彼女は本当に美人だ。She is a real beauty.This sentence describes a woman as a real beauty using 美.Tatoeba #86661 by bunbuku, translation #317049 by CK
- 彼女はたいした美人だ。She is a beauty.This sentence uses 美 to describe a woman as a beauty.Tatoeba #92205 by bunbuku, translation #316605 by CK
- 美しさが全てではない。Beauty isn't everything.This sentence uses 美しさ to express that beauty is not everything.Tatoeba #1614372 by Meow, translation #10576620 by CK
- 58 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Daito and Misaki are looking at a painting in a museum.
- 大翔 Hirotoこの絵は、自然の美を表現していますね。Kono e wa, shizen no bi o hyōgen shite imasu ne.This painting expresses the beauty of nature, doesn't it?
- 美咲 Misakiそうですね。本当に素晴らしいです。Sō desu ne. Hontō ni subarashii desu.It does. It is truly wonderful.
- 大翔 Hiroto美に触れると、心が洗われます。Bi ni fureru to, kokoro ga arawaremasu.Experiencing beauty cleanses the soul.
- 美咲 Misaki私も同じ気持ちです、大翔さん。Watashi mo onaji kimochi desu, Daito-san.I feel the same way, Daito.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “beauty” translations and entries 美, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 美, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
