とても可愛いですね
totemo kawaii desu ne
The phrase "you look so cute" is translated into Japanese as とても可愛いですね (totemo kawaii desu ne).
This phrase is used to compliment someone on a charming or attractive appearance. In Japanese, the subject "you" is often omitted. When saying とても可愛いですね, the phrase is understood to refer to the person being spoken to through context.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For a more casual feeling suitable for close friends, you can replace totemo with sugoku and drop the desu ne to say すごく可愛いね. Other forms include the formal Kawaii desu ne and the formal Anata wa totemo kawaii desu, as well as the informal Kawaii yo and Sugoku kawaii ne.
How do you pronounce it?
totemo kawaii desu ne
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often over-use the word anata (you) when giving compliments. While Anata wa totemo kawaii desu is a valid way to say "You are very cute," including anata in many compliments can sound unnatural or overly direct in Japanese.
Did you know?
- Japanese has a related term kowa-kawaii used for things that are simultaneously scary and cute, such as certain monsters or gothic fashion.
- The concept of kawaii extends to the 'aesthetic of imperfection'. In Japanese culture, something can be considered kawaii specifically because it is slightly broken, mismatched, or imperfect.
- The phrase is often accompanied by a head tilt or a slight lean forward to emphasize the feeling of admiration.
Examples in context
- 赤ちゃんはとても可愛いですね。Akachan wa totemo kawaii desu ne.The baby is so cute.
- 新しい服、とても可愛いですね。Atarashii fuku, totemo kawaii desu ne.Your new clothes are so cute.
Example conversation
Yota compliments Misaki on her new hairstyle at a cafe.
- 陽太 Yota美咲さんは、今日の髪型、とても可愛いですね。Misaki-san wa, kyou no kamigata, totemo kawaii desu ne.Misaki, your hairstyle today is so cute.
- 美咲 Misaki本当ですか？嬉しいです！Hontou desu ka? Ureshii desu!Really? I'm so happy!
- 陽太 Yotaとてもよく似合っていますよ。Totemo yoku niatte imasu yo.It suits you very well.
- 美咲 Misakiありがとうございます、陽太さん。Arigatou gozaimasu, Yota-san.Thank you, Yota.
