私は美しい
watashi wa utsukushii
The English phrase "I am beautiful" is translated into Japanese as 私は美しい (watashi wa utsukushii).
This phrase is a statement used to describe one's own physical or spiritual beauty. In Japanese, stating "I am beautiful" directly is much less common than in English and can sound quite dramatic or poetic due to the weight of the word utsukushii.
Which one should you use?
While utsukushii implies a profound or aesthetic beauty, the word きれい is a more common, everyday word used to mean "pretty", "beautiful" or even "clean".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The subject pronoun watashi makes the statement sound more formal and polite than using more casual pronouns. For a more formal tone, you can use 私は美しいです。 If you want to specify that you are referring specifically to physical appearance, you can use the formal phrase 私は容姿が美しいです。 For an informal version used by males, you can say 僕は美しいよ。 A more colloquial way for a male to say this is 俺って美しいな。
How does it change in a sentence?
The word 美しい is an i-adjective, meaning it can directly follow a noun to describe it, such as utsukushii hito (beautiful person).
How do you pronounce it?
watashi wa utsukushii
Did you know?
- If someone calls you 美しい, the most culturally appropriate response is often to humbly deny it rather than saying 'thank you'.
- The word 美しい is often used to describe things that are 'beautiful' in a heartbreaking or transient way, reflecting the cultural concept of 'mono no aware'.
- The word きれい can be written with a kanji that means 'pure' or 'untainted', showing that beauty in Japan is historically tied to purity.
Examples in context
- 先生、私は美しいですか？Teacher, am I beautiful?
- 私は美しい女性ですが、内面も大切だと思います。I am a beautiful woman, but I also believe that the inner self is important.
- 友達に言われたんだけど、私は美しい！A friend told me that I am beautiful!
Example conversation
Hina and Kenta are talking about self-confidence.
- 陽葵 Himari私は美しいと信じています。Watashi wa utsukushii to shinjite imasu.I believe that I am beautiful.
- 健太 Kentaその自信は素晴らしいね。Sono jishin wa subarashii ne.That confidence is wonderful.
- 陽葵 Himariありがとう、健太。Arigatō, Kenta.Thank you, Kenta.
- 健太 Kenta本当にそうだと思うよ。Hontō ni sō da to omou yo.I really think so too.
