綺麗ですね
kirei desu ne
The English phrase "you look beautiful" is translated into Japanese as 綺麗ですね (kirei desu ne).
This phrase is used to compliment someone's physical appearance. The core word kirei can mean either "beautiful" or "clean," so the context of the situation is important to ensure the listener understands you are complimenting their appearance.
What does it mean word for word?
The word kirei means "beautiful" or "clean".
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the compliment in the past tense ("you looked beautiful"), change the phrase to 綺麗でしたね. When speaking to friends or someone of lower social status, you can change the formal 綺麗ですね to the informal 綺麗だね.
How do you pronounce it?
kirei desu ne
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often try to translate "you" literally by using あなた (anata), but it is much more natural in Japanese to omit the word for "you" entirely when giving this compliment.
Did you know?
- In Japan, it is common for people to respond to 綺麗ですね by modestly denying the compliment, often using the phrase そんなことないです meaning 'that is not the case'.
- The word 綺麗 (kirei) is written with characters that originally meant 'healthy' and 'pure', reflecting a cultural link between beauty and purity.
- The kanji for the 'beautiful' part of 綺麗 (kirei) is often written in katakana as 'キレイ' in fashion magazines to give it a modern, stylish, and trendy feel.
Example conversation
Hiroto and Misaki are at a formal party.
- 大翔 Hiroto美咲さんは今日も綺麗ですね。Misaki-san wa kyō mo kirei desu ne.Misaki, you look beautiful today too.
- 美咲 Misaki本当ですか？ありがとうございます。Hontō desu ka? Arigatō gozaimasu.Really? Thank you very much.
- 大翔 Hirotoとてもよく似合っていますよ。Totemo yoku niatte imasu yo.It suits you very well.
- 美咲 Misaki嬉しいです、ありがとうございます。Ureshii desu, arigatō gozaimasu.I'm happy, thank you.
