イケメン
ikemen[ike̞mẽ̞ɴ]
The Japanese phrase for "handsome man" is イケメン (ikemen).
イケメン is used to describe a man who is physically attractive and possesses an overall stylish or "cool" vibe.
Which one should you use?
イケメン is an informal way to say a man is good-looking. For a more refined description, you might use 端正（たんせい）な男性 to mean a refined man. If you want to say a man is "cool" in an informal context, use イケてる（いけてる）男. Alternatively, 格好（かっこう）いい男 can be used to mean a good-looking guy in informal settings.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
イケメン is a colloquial term. It is less formal than using descriptive adjectives.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Kansai region, the term カッコええ男 is used to refer to a handsome man.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word イケメン does not change its form to indicate plurality. The context determines if it refers to one man or multiple men.
How do you pronounce it?
ikemen
Did you know?
- The word イケメン is a hybrid term, blending a Japanese verb with a loanword from English, 'men'.
- There is a related term 逆イケメン (gyaku-ikemen) used for men who are traditionally unattractive but become 'cool' through style or personality.
- The word 端正 (tansei) used for a 'refined man' literally describes something that is 'correctly' or 'properly' arranged, like a well-drawn line.
Examples in context
- トムって、イケメン？Is Tom a handsome man?This sentence is useful for asking if Tom is a handsome man using イケメン.Tatoeba #8692048 by bunbuku, translation #12346278 by CK
- 彼は端正な男性です。He is a refined man.
- 彼はイケメンです。He is a good-looking guy.
- あの人、イケてる男だよね。That guy is cool.
- 彼、格好いい男だと思う。I think he is a good-looking guy.
- 彼はイケメンだよ。He is good-looking.
- あの人はハンサムだね。That person is handsome.
- 彼は本当にイケメンですね。Kare wa hontō ni ikemen desu ne.He is a really handsome man, isn't he?
- あのイケメンは誰ですか？Ano ikemen wa dare desu ka?Who is that handsome man?
Example conversation
Ren and Yui are talking about a celebrity on TV.
- 結衣 Yuiあの俳優、すごくイケメンだね。Ano haiyū, sugoku ikemen da ne.That actor is a very handsome man, isn't he?
- 蓮 Renそうだね。スタイルもいいよ。Sō da ne. Sutairu mo ii yo.He is. He has a great style, too.
- 結衣 Yui蓮くんもイケメンだよ。Ren-kun mo ikemen da yo.Ren, you are a handsome man, too.
- 蓮 Renありがとう、照れるなあ。Arigatō, tereru nā.Thanks, you're making me blush.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry イケメン, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries イケメン, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
