彼女は可愛い
kanojo wa kawaii
To say "she is cute" in Japanese, use 彼女は可愛い (kanojo wa kawaii).
This phrase is used to describe a female person as being attractive in a sweet or endearing way. The term 可愛い is versatile and can also be used to describe objects, animals or behaviors that are perceived as charming or sweet.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 彼女 (kanojo) literally means "she" or "girlfriend".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
You can use the informal 彼女は可愛い in casual settings. For a more polite version suitable for speaking to strangers or superiors, add です to the end to form 彼女は可愛いです.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective 可愛い is an i-adjective, which means it can be used directly after a noun or at the end of a sentence to describe a quality.
How do you pronounce it?
kanojo wa kawaii
Did you know?
- The word 可愛い is linguistically linked to the word for 'pitiful' or 'pathetic' 可哀想, suggesting that the original feeling of cuteness was rooted in a desire to protect something small.
- In Japan, the concept of 可愛い can be used to describe someone who is clumsy or vulnerable, as these traits are seen as endearing rather than negative.
- In Japanese pop culture, the concept of 'kawaii' has evolved into a massive fashion and aesthetic subculture that dictates much of Tokyo's street style.
Examples in context
- 彼女は可愛いですね。Kanojo wa kawaii desu ne.She is cute, isn't she?
Example conversation
Yui and Yota are talking about a new female classmate.
- 結衣 Yui新しいクラスメートを見た？Atarashii kurasumeeto o mita?Did you see the new classmate?
- 陽太 Yotaうん、彼女は可愛いね。Un, kanojo wa kawaii ne.Yeah, she is cute.
- 結衣 Yui私もそう思うよ。Watashi mo sou omou yo.I think so too.
- 陽太 Yota話しやすそうな雰囲気だった。Hanashiyasusou na fun'iki datta.She seemed easy to talk to.
