とても美しい
totemo utsukushii
In Japanese, the phrase for "very beautiful" is とても美しい (totemo utsukushii).
This phrase is used to describe someone or something that possesses a high degree of aesthetic beauty.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of totemo (very) and utsukushii (beautiful).
Which one should you use?
While とても美しい is used for beauty, the related form とても綺麗 is a more common way to say "very beautiful" or "very pretty". The word utsukushii often carries a more profound, aesthetic or sublime connotation than the more common kirei.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
とても美しい is more literary, whereas とても綺麗 is a more common, colloquial and conversational way to express the idea of being very beautiful or pretty.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the past tense, the adjective ending changes from utsukushii to utsukushikatta, resulting in とても美しかった.
How do you pronounce it?
totemo utsukushii
Did you know?
- The kanji for beauty 美 is composed of elements meaning 'sheep' and 'big', which historically referred to the plumpness of a sheep as a sign of beauty and health.
- In Japanese aesthetics, the concept of 'beauty' is often linked to the fleeting nature of things, a concept known as mono no aware, which makes words like utsukushii feel more heavy with emotion than their English counterparts.
- The word kirei in とても綺麗 can also mean 'clean' or 'tidy', so saying a person is 'very beautiful' using this word can sometimes imply they look neat and well-groomed.
Examples in context
- あなたはとても美しい。You are very beautiful.This sentence uses とても美しい to describe a person.Tatoeba #628652 by arihato, translation #69112 by CK
- それはとても美しい花だった。It was a very beautiful flower.This sentence uses とても美しい to describe a flower.Tatoeba #205432 by bunbuku, translation #1372555 by CK
- イタリアはとても美しい国です。Italy is a very beautiful country.This sentence uses とても美しい to describe a country.Tatoeba #5062 by bunbuku, translation #1658 by CK
- 彼はとても美しいHe is very beautiful.
- 5 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hiroto and Yui are looking at the night view from a building.
- 大翔 Hiroto見て、夜景がとても美しいよ。Mite, yakei ga totemo utsukushii yo.Look, the night view is very beautiful.
- 結衣 Yui本当にそうね。感動しちゃう。Hontō ni sō ne. Kandō shichau.It really is. I'm so moved.
- 大翔 Hiroto結衣をここに連れてきてよかった。Yui o koko ni tsurete kite yokatta.I'm glad I brought you here, Yui.
- 結衣 Yuiありがとう、大翔くん。Arigatō, Hiroto-kun.Thank you, Hiroto.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
