これかわいい
kore kawaii
The Japanese phrase for "this is cute" is これかわいい (kore kawaii).
The core adjective かわいい is versatile. It can describe physical cuteness, but it is also used for things that are charming, endearing or even describing someone with a "sweet" personality.
How does it change in a sentence?
To make the phrase sound more natural in casual conversation, you can add a slight pause or a comma after the first word, resulting in これ、かわいい！ In the polite version これはかわいいです, the particle は is used to mark the subject.
How do you pronounce it?
kore kawaii
Did you know?
- While かわいい usually means 'cute', it was originally used in the Heian period to describe things that were 'pitiful' or 'small and fragile'.
- In Japanese fashion and pop culture, the 'kawaii' aesthetic can be applied to things that are intentionally creepy or unsettling, a style known as 'guro-kawaii'.
- The concept of かわいい is so central to Japanese culture that it is often used as a social lubricant to create a friendly and non-threatening atmosphere in professional settings.
Examples in context
- あなたの笑顔がかわいいですYour smile is cute
- このぬいぐるみはかわいらしいですThis plush toy is cute
- その子猫は本当にかわいいThat kitten is really cute
- これは最も可愛いものですThis is the cutest thing
- あの子はめちゃくちゃ可愛いよThat kid is extremely cute
- これかわいい！kore kawaii!This is cute!
- あ、これかわいい。a, kore kawaii.Oh, this is cute.
Example conversation
Kenta and Himari are looking at accessories in a shop.
- 健太 Kenta見て、これかわいい！mite, kore kawaii!Look, this is cute!
- 陽葵 Himari本当だ、これかわいいね。hontou da, kore kawaii ne.You're right, this is cute.
- 健太 Kenta陽葵はこれ、好き？Himari wa kore, suki?Himari, do you like this?
- 陽葵 Himariうん、すごく可愛い。un, sugoku kawaii.Yes, it's very cute.
