優雅な
yūgana
The English word "graceful" is translated into Japanese as 優雅な (yūgana).
Meaning: showing grace (adj)
Which one should you use?
While 優雅な implies elegance and sophistication, the word しなやかな is often used to describe gracefulness in terms of physical flexibility and supple movement.
How does it change in a sentence?
The dictionary form 優雅な functions as a na-adjective, so it becomes 優雅だ when used as a predicate. The adverbial form 優雅に (gracefully) is created by replacing the particle な with に.
How do you pronounce it?
yūgana
Did you know?
- The kanji 雅 in 優雅 refers to 'refined' or 'correct' music, stemming from ancient court music traditions.
- Japanese has a unique concept called しなやか ('shinayaka') for grace, which specifically evokes the image of a willow branch bending without breaking.
- The term 雅 ('miyabi'), found within 優雅な, literally translates to 'refined' but was historically used to describe the 'capital' style of Kyoto as opposed to the 'uncouth' countryside.
Examples in context
- 彼女の踊りはとても優雅でした。Her dance was very graceful.
- 彼女の歌声は本当に優美です。Her singing voice is truly graceful.
- 彼女は優雅な動きをしている。Kanojo wa yūga na ugoki o shite iru.She makes graceful movements.
- 優雅な音楽が流れている。Yūga na ongaku ga nagarete iru.Graceful music is playing.
- あの白鳥はとても優雅な姿だ。Ano hakuchō wa totemo yūga na sugata da.That swan is a very graceful sight.
Example conversation
Yui and Ren are watching a ballet performance.
- 結衣 Yui見て、彼女のダンスは本当に優雅な動きね。Mite, kanojo no dansu wa hontō ni yūga na ugoki ne.Look, her dance movements are truly graceful.
- 蓮 Renそうだね。指先まで完璧だ。Sō da ne. Yubisaki made kanpeki da.You're right. Even her fingertips are perfect.
- 結衣 Yui私もあんな風に踊れたらいいのに。Watashi mo anna fū ni odoreta ra ii noni.I wish I could dance like that.
- 蓮 Ren結衣なら練習すればできると思うよ。Yui nara renshū sureba dekiru to omou yo.I think you could do it if you practiced, Yui.
