きれいです
kirei desu
The English phrase "it is beautiful" is expressed in Japanese as きれいです (kirei desu).
The phrase きれいです is used to describe something that is visually pleasing or clean. The specific meaning, whether you are describing beauty or cleanliness, is determined by the context of the conversation.
Which one should you use?
While きれいです is common for everyday beauty or cleanliness, 美しいです is a more formal and profound way to describe aesthetic beauty.
How does it change in a sentence?
The informal version of the phrase is きれいだ, used with friends or people of lower social status. To express that something was beautiful or clean in the past, use きれいでした.
How do you pronounce it?
kirei desu
Did you know?
- While きれい means 'beautiful' or 'clean', the word きれいごと refers to 'lip service' or 'sugar-coated words' that sound beautiful but are impractical.
- When praising a person's appearance, using きれいです is more common for women, whereas using かっこいい is the preferred equivalent for men, even if the English translation is 'beautiful' or 'handsome'.
- The phrase is often used as a polite way to say 'clear' when describing the weather or the air, such as when the sky is a vivid blue without clouds.
Examples in context
- この庭園は美しいですね。This garden is beautiful, isn't it?
- この景色、めちゃくちゃ美しい！This view is extremely beautiful!
- この花はきれいです。Kono hana wa kirei desu.This flower is beautiful.
- 空がとてもきれいです。Sora ga totemo kirei desu.The sky is very beautiful.
- 部屋がとてもきれいです。Heya ga totemo kirei desu.The room is very clean.
Example conversation
Yui and Yota are looking at a garden.
- 陽太 Yotaこの庭はきれいですね。Kono niwa wa kirei desu ne.This garden is beautiful, isn't it?
- 結衣 Yuiはい、本当にきれいです。Hai, hontō ni kirei desu.Yes, it really is beautiful.
- 陽太 Yota手入れが行き届いています。Teire ga ikitodokite imasu.It is well-maintained.
- 結衣 Yui気持ちがいいですね。Kimochi ga ii desu ne.It feels pleasant, doesn't it?
