かわいい
kawaii
The Japanese word for "cute" is かわいい (kawaii).
かわいい is used broadly to describe anything from small animals and children to fashion, food and even certain behaviors or objects that evoke a sense of charm or fondness.
Meaning: attractive or pleasing in a youthful, dainty, quaint or fun-spirited way (adj)
How does it change in a sentence?
The negative form of the i-adjective かわいい is かわいくない, which means "not cute".
How do you pronounce it?
kawaii
Did you know?
- The Japanese government uses かわいい aesthetics for official purposes, such as the 'Cute Police' or regional mascots known as 'yuru-chara' to make bureaucracy feel more approachable.
- The concept of かわいい has evolved into a global cultural phenomenon called 'kawaii culture', influencing everything from mascot design to the 'kawaii metal' music genre led by the band Babymetal.
- In modern Japanese pop culture, the concept of 'kawaii' has evolved into 'kimo-kawaii', a term used to describe something that is simultaneously 'gross' and 'cute'.
Examples in context
- かわいいなー。It's so cute.This sentence shows how to use かわいい to express that something is very cute.Tatoeba #3506559 by arnab, translation #2249246 by CK
- トムってかわいい？Is Tom cute?This is an example of asking a question about someone using かわいい.Tatoeba #3507415 by arnab, translation #2244590 by CK
- コアラ、かわいい。Koalas are cute.This demonstrates how to use かわいい when stating that koalas are cute.Tatoeba #9740674 by small_snow, translation #2020509 by Spamster
- Anata no hitomi wa kawaii desu. (あなたの瞳はかわいいです。)Your eyes are cute.
- Kawaii na! (かわいいな！)You're cute!
- 77 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Kenta and Himari are looking at accessories in a shop.
- 健太 Kentaこのポーチ、かわいいと思わない？Kono poochi, kawaii to omowanai?Don't you think this pouch is cute?
- 陽葵 Himari本当、健太のセンスはいいね。Hontou, Kenta no sensu wa ii ne.Truly, Kenta, you have good taste.
- 健太 Kenta陽葵に似合いそうだよ。Himari ni niaiso da yo.It looks like it would suit you, Himari.
- 陽葵 Himariじゃあ、これにする！Jaa, kore ni suru!Then, I'll take this one!
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
