素晴らしい
subarashii[sɨba̠ɾa̠ɕiː]
The English word 'stunning' can be translated into Japanese as 素晴らしい (subarashii).
素晴らしい is used to describe something that is stunning, wonderful or amazing. While it can refer to beauty, it is more broadly used to express that something is splendid or extraordinary in terms of quality, performance or an experience.
Meaning: exceptionally beautiful or attractive (adj)
Which one should you use?
To describe physical or aesthetic beauty directly, the word 美しい (beautiful) is the more standard choice. In contrast, 素晴らしい implies that something is wonderful or extraordinary. If you wish to describe something as 'elegant' or 'graceful', you should use 華麗.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the past tense, change 素晴らしい to 素晴らしかった to say that something 'was stunning' or 'was wonderful'.
How do you pronounce it?
subarashii
Did you know?
- The word 素晴らしい was originally a negative term meaning 'that which makes one shrink away'. This meaning persisted until the mid-1800s before shifting to the positive meaning of 'stunning' used today.
- In Japanese culture, describing someone as 素晴らしい often implies a sense of respect or admiration for their achievements and spirit, not just their outward appearance.
Examples in context
- Anata wa subarashii desu (あなたは素晴らしいです)You are stunning
- Kimi wa kakkoii ne (君はかっこいいね)You look stunning or You are cool
- Kono yūhi wa subarashii (この夕日は素晴らしい)This sunset is stunning
- 素晴らしい景色ですね。Subarashii keshiki desu ne.It is a stunning view.
- 彼女は素晴らしい笑顔をしている。Kanojo wa subarashii egao o shite iru.She has a stunning smile.
- このドレスは本当に素晴らしいです。Kono doresu wa hontou ni subarashii desu.This dress is truly stunning.
Example conversation
Ren and Yui are looking at a sunset over the ocean.
- 蓮 Ren結衣、見て。本当に素晴らしい夕焼けだよ。Yui, mite. Hontou ni subarashii yuuyake dayo.Look, Yui. It is a truly stunning sunset.
- 結衣 Yui本当。言葉が出ないくらい素晴らしいわ。Hontou. Kotoba ga denai kurai subarashii wa.Truly. It is so stunning I'm speechless.
- 蓮 Renこんな景色、今まで見たことがない。Konna keshiki, ima made mita koto ga nai.I have never seen a view like this.
- 結衣 Yui蓮さんと一緒に来られてよかった。Ren-san to issho ni korarete yokatta.I'm glad I came here with you, Ren.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 素晴らしい, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 素晴らしい, CC BY-SA 4.0.
