とても綺麗
totemo kirei
In Japanese, "very pretty" is translated as とても綺麗 (totemo kirei).
The phrase is used to describe someone or something that is visually attractive or beautiful. Note that the word kirei can mean both "pretty/beautiful" and "clean" depending on the context in which it is used.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase consists of totemo, which means "very" and kirei, which means "pretty" or "beautiful".
Is it said differently in some regions?
The informal phrase めっちゃ美人 is particularly common in regions like Kansai.
How does it change in a sentence?
When using とても綺麗 to modify a noun directly, you must use the adjectival form とても綺麗な by adding the particle na before the noun.
How do you pronounce it?
totemo kirei
When do people say it?
When addressing someone, you can show respect by adding さん after their name, as seen in the phrase とてもきれいですね、田中さん.
Did you know?
- While 綺麗 means 'pretty', it is written with characters that literally mean 'cut' and 'clear'. This reveals an ancient Japanese aesthetic where beauty was linked to the idea of removing impurities to reveal a pure essence.
- Depending on the context, 綺麗 can be used to describe the 'beauty' of a mathematical equation or a well-executed sports play, referring to the logic or form.
- In Japanese culture, overusing intensifiers like とても (totemo) can sometimes make a compliment feel less sincere or too performative compared to a subtle, understated description.
Examples in context
- 彼女はとても綺麗な人です。She is very pretty.This sentence is useful for describing someone as a very pretty person using とても綺麗.Tatoeba #770362 by arihato, translation #311741 by CK
- あなたはとてもきれいですねYou look very pretty.
- めっちゃ美人だねYou're so gorgeous.
- 田中さんは非常に麗しいですTanaka-san is extremely beautiful.
- 髪がすごくキレイですねYour hair is really pretty.
- この花はとても綺麗ですね。Kono hana wa totemo kirei desu ne.This flower is very pretty, isn't it?
- あの景色はとても綺麗でした。Ano keshiki wa totemo kirei deshita.That scenery was very pretty.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Ren and Himari are looking at a sunset at the beach.
- 陽葵 Himari空がとても綺麗だよ。Sora ga totemo kirei da yo.The sky is very pretty.
- 蓮 Ren本当だ、すごく綺麗だね。Hontou da, sugoku kirei da ne.You're right, it's really beautiful.
- 陽葵 Himari蓮くんもそう思う？Ren-kun mo sou omou?Do you think so too, Ren?
- 蓮 Renうん、最高に綺麗だと思う。Un, saikou ni kirei da to omou.Yeah, I think it's incredibly pretty.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
