かわいい
kawaii
In Japanese, the phrase for "someone is cute" is かわいい (kawaii).
The word かわいい is a popular way to say that someone is cute. It can be used to describe not just people, but also animals, objects, clothing and even behaviors.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Kyushu region, people often use かわええ to mean the same as かわいい.
How does it change in a sentence?
The negative form, meaning "is not cute", is かわいくない. The past tense form, meaning "became cute", is かわいくなった.
How do you pronounce it?
kawaii
Did you know?
- The word かわいい is thought by some linguists to have originated from the phrase かほ・わるし, meaning 'pitiful' or 'deserving of pity', as something small and helpless evokes a sense of compassion.
- While 'cute' is often associated with softness, the term 'kimo-kawaii' is used to describe things that are simultaneously 'gross' and 'cute', a popular sub-genre of character design.
- The word かわいい is frequently used in 'mascot culture', where government agencies and police forces use cute characters to make their image more approachable.
Examples in context
- そのブランコの子どもがとってもかわいいね。The child on the swing is really cute.
- あの子、ほんまにかわええなあ。That child is really cute, isn't he/she?
- この猫はとてもかわいい。Kono neko wa totemo kawaii.This cat is very cute.
- あの赤ちゃん、かわいいね！Ano akachan, kawaii ne!That baby is cute, isn't he/she!
Example conversation
Ren and Himari are looking at a photo of a puppy.
- 蓮 Ren見て、この犬、かわいいよ。Mite, kono inu, kawaii yo.Look, this dog is cute.
- 陽葵 Himari本当だ！すごくかわいいね。Hontō da! Sugoku kawaii ne.You're right! It's really cute.
- 蓮 Ren陽葵も犬が好き？Himari mo inu ga suki?Do you like dogs too, Himari?
- 陽葵 Himariうん、大好きだよ。Un, daisuki dayo.Yes, I love them.
