かっこいい
kakkoii
The phrase "I am handsome" in Japanese is expressed using かっこいい (kakkoii).
かっこいい is used to describe something or someone as handsome, cool or stylish. While it can be used to describe a person's appearance, it is more broadly used to describe actions, objects or general styles.
Which one should you use?
While かっこいい describes the quality of being cool or stylish, the term イケメン is a noun specifically used to describe a man with handsome facial features.
How do you pronounce it?
kakkoii
Did you know?
- While かっこいい describes someone as 'cool', using it to describe yourself can sound arrogant or jokingly vain, as Japanese culture generally emphasizes humility over self-praise.
- While イケメン refers to a handsome man, the term is a portmanteau of イケてる meaning 'cool' and メン from the English word 'men'.
- In modern slang, かっこいい is often shortened to かっけー in very casual masculine speech to sound more rugged or effortless.
Examples in context
- 僕はかっこいい。Boku wa kakkoii.I am handsome.
- 僕は自分ではかっこいいと思っている。Boku wa jibun de wa kakkoii to omotte iru.I think I am handsome.
Example conversation
Kenta is jokingly complimenting himself in front of Himari.
- 健太 Kenta見て、今日の僕はかっこいいだろう？Mite, kyou no boku wa kakkoii darou?Look, I am handsome today, right?
- 陽葵 Himari健太さんは、いつも自信満々ですね。Kenta-san wa, itsumo jishin manman desu ne.Kenta, you are always so confident.
- 健太 Kentaかっこいいのは事実だよ。Kakkoii no wa jijitsu da yo.It is a fact that I am handsome.
- 陽葵 Himariはいはい、うぬぼれないで。Hai hai, unuborenaide.Alright, alright, don't be so conceited.
