かわいいね
The English phrase "you look cute" is translated into Japanese as かわいいね.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
かわいいね is used in informal contexts. To make the phrase polite and suitable for people you are not close to or those in a higher social position, use かわいいですね by adding です before the particle ね. For a slang expression, use めっちゃ可愛いよ.
How does it change in a sentence?
In the phrase かわいいね, the particle ね at the end is used to seek agreement or to express a shared feeling with the listener, similar to saying "cute, isn't it?" or "you look cute, don't you think?"
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often try to include a word for "you" (like あなた) in the sentence, but in Japanese, the subject is almost always omitted when speaking directly to someone if the context is clear.
Did you know?
- There is a distinct difference between かわいい ('cute') and きれい ('beautiful'). Calling an adult woman かわいい can sometimes be perceived as condescending, as it implies she has a childlike quality.
- The word かわいい (kawaii) originally meant 'embarrassing' or 'shameful' in the 12th century, before evolving to mean 'cute' or 'lovable' in the modern era.
- Japanese has a specific term, ぶりっ子 ('burikko'), for people who pretend to be かわいい in an exaggerated or fake way to manipulate others' feelings.
Examples in context
- かわいいですね、小林さんYou look cute, Kobayashi-san
- その服、かわいいね。Sono fuku, kawaii ne.Those clothes are cute.
- 結衣ちゃん、今日はかわいいね。Yui-chan, kyou wa kawaii ne.Yui, you look cute today.
- 新しいヘアスタイル、かわいいね。Atarashii heasutairu, kawaii ne.Your new hairstyle is cute.
Example conversation
Hiroto compliments Yui on her new outfit during a walk.
- 大翔 Hirotoそのリボン、かわいいね。Sono ribon, kawaii ne.That ribbon is cute.
- 結衣 Yui本当？ありがとう！Hontou? Arigatou!Really? Thank you!
- 大翔 Hirotoすごく似合っているよ。Sugoku niatte iru yo.It suits you very well.
- 結衣 Yui嬉しいな。Ureshii na.I'm so happy.
