かわいいね
kawaii ne
To say "you're adorable" in Japanese, use かわいいね (kawaii ne).
This phrase is a compliment used to tell someone that they are cute or charming. Because the subject is often clear from the context of a conversation, the word for "you" is omitted in this expression. While this phrase is used for people, the root word かわいい is also the standard term used to describe objects, animals and certain behaviors.
How does it change in a sentence?
The particle ね (ne) at the end of かわいいね functions like a tag question, seeking agreement or adding a soft, conversational tone similar to saying "isn't it?" or "don't you think?"
How do you pronounce it?
kawaii ne
When do people say it?
To make a name sound even more cute and endearing, you can add the suffixes "-chan" or "-tan" to it.
Did you know?
- Japan has a distinct cultural phenomenon called 'kawaii culture' where the aesthetic of being かわいい is used in official government communications and police mascots to appear less intimidating.
- The word かわいい is thought by some linguists to have originated from the word かわゆい (kawayui), an archaic term meaning 'pitiful' or 'helpless' in a way that evokes a desire to protect.
- There is a distinction in Japanese between 'true' cuteness and 'fake' cuteness, where overly exaggerated expressions of being かわいい can sometimes be met with suspicion or seen as 'burikko' behavior.
Examples in context
- あなたは可愛いです。You are cute
- 可愛いね。You're cute.
- 超可愛いよ！Super cute
- ほんっと可愛いな。You're really cute
- その服、かわいいね。Sono fuku, kawaii ne.That outfit is cute.
- あなたの笑顔、かわいいね。Anata no egao, kawaii ne.Your smile is charming.
Example conversation
Misaki and Yota are walking through a park together.
- 美咲 Misaki陽太くん、今の表情、かわいいね。Yota-kun, ima no hyoujou, kawaii ne.Yota, that expression just now was adorable.
- 陽太 Yotaえっ、急にどうしたの？E, kyuu ni doushita no?Eh, what happened all of a sudden?
- 美咲 Misakiううん、なんでもないよ。Uun, nan demo nai yo.No, it's nothing.
- 陽太 Yotaちょっと照れるなあ。Chotto tereru naa.That's a bit embarrassing.
