可愛い子
kawaiko
The Japanese word for cutie is 可愛い子 (kawaiko).
可愛い子 refers to a cute person or animal. While it can be used for animals, it is most commonly used to refer to human children or young women.
Meaning: cute person or animal (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The term is composed of kawaii (cute) and ko (child/person).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
This is an informal term. Using it to address someone directly can sound patronizing or overly familiar depending on the context.
How does it change in a sentence?
可愛い子 is a noun and does not change its form based on grammatical case, though particles will be added to it in a sentence.
How do you pronounce it?
kawaiko
Did you know?
- While kawaii is now used for everything from puppies to skyscrapers, the word originally meant 'pathetic' or 'pitiful' and was used to describe people who evoked a feeling of sorrow.
- The concept of 'cuteness' in Japan can sometimes include 'kimo-kawaii', which describes something that is simultaneously 'gross' and 'cute'.
- There is a specific concept in Japanese called 'kawaii culture' that is so influential it is used as a form of soft power in international diplomacy.
Examples in context
- 彼女は かわいい です。She is cute.
- この子犬は かわいい ですね。This puppy is cute, isn't it?
- そのTシャツは かわいくない ね。That T-shirt isn't cute, huh?
- あの子は本当に可愛い子ですね。Ano ko wa hontou ni kawaii ko desu ne.That girl is a real cutie, isn't she?
- この子犬はとても可愛い子です。Kono koinu wa totemo kawaii ko desu.This puppy is a very cute little thing.
Example conversation
Himari and Kenta are looking at a puppy in a pet shop.
- 陽葵 Himari見て！この子、すごく可愛い子じゃない？mite! kono ko, sugoku kawaii ko janai?Look! Isn't this one a total cutie?
- 健太 Kenta本当だね。目が大きくて可愛い。hontou da ne. me ga ookikute kawaii.You're right. It's cute with those big eyes.
- 陽葵 Himariこんな可愛い子、飼いたくなっちゃう。konna kawaii ko, kaitaku nacchau.I'm starting to want a cutie like this as a pet.
- 健太 Kenta陽葵はいつもそう言うよね。Himari wa itsumo sou iu yo ne.You always say that, Himari.
