きれいですね
kirei desu ne
To say "you are pretty" in Japanese, you use きれいですね (kirei desu ne).
This phrase is used as a compliment to tell someone that they are physically attractive or beautiful. The core adjective きれい (kirei) can mean both "beautiful/pretty" and "clean/tidy" depending on the context. In Japanese, the word for "you" is often omitted because it is understood from the context. Using it explicitly can sometimes sound unnatural or overly direct.
What does it mean word for word?
The word きれい (kirei) means beautiful, lovely or clean. The combination ですね (desu ne) adds a sense of seeking agreement or softening the statement, making it sound more like "You are pretty, aren't you?" rather than a blunt declaration.
Which one should you use?
While きれい (kirei) emphasizes beauty and elegance, the related concept of かわいい (kawaii) is used to mean "cute" or "adorable".
How does it change in a sentence?
The particle combination ですね (desu ne) is used to seek agreement or soften the tone of the statement.
How do you pronounce it?
kirei desu ne
Did you know?
- In traditional Japanese social etiquette, receiving a compliment like きれいですね is often met with a polite denial or modesty, such as いえいえ ('no, no'), rather than a simple 'thank you'.
- In Japanese, you can use きれい to describe a person's soul or personality, implying they are pure and noble rather than just 'kind'.
- Calling a room きれい is a compliment on its cleanliness, as a room cannot be 'pretty' in Japanese without being 'tidy'.
Examples in context
- あなたの瞳はきれいですね。Anata no hitomi wa kirei desu ne.Your eyes are pretty.
Example conversation
Ren is complimenting Himari on her appearance at a party.
- 蓮 Ren陽葵さん、とてもきれいですね。Himari-san, totemo kirei desu ne.Himari, you are very pretty.
- 陽葵 Himariえっ、本当ですか？E, hontō desu ka?Oh, really?
- 蓮 Renはい、本当に似合っていますよ。Hai, hontō ni niatte imasu yo.Yes, it really suits you.
- 陽葵 Himariありがとうございます、蓮さん。Arigatō gozaimasu, Ren-san.Thank you, Ren.
