What does it mean word for word?
The phrase とても綺麗ですね is composed of totemo (very), kirei (beautiful/clean/pure), desu (is) and the particle ne (right/isn't it?).
Which one should you use?
While kirei emphasizes aesthetic beauty or elegance, the term 可愛い is used to describe someone as "cute" or "adorable".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For a more formal way to say "You are beautiful", you can use お美しいですね。 Conversely, the form 綺麗だよ is informal, dropping the desu ne to sound more casual and intimate. The phrase すごくきれいだね。 is also an informal way to say "You're really pretty."
How does it change in a sentence?
The word 綺麗 is a na-adjective, meaning it requires desu to function as a polite predicate in a sentence.
How do you pronounce it?
totemo kirei desu ne
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using 綺麗だ as a way to say "is beautiful", as it can sound overly blunt, masculine or potentially rude if used toward a woman in a formal setting.
Did you know?
- In Japanese culture, the most common response to being called 綺麗 is not 'thank you', but to modestly deny the compliment by saying いいえ or 'no'.
- The word kirei is a double agent that describes both a beautiful person and a clean room. If you tell a host their house is kirei, you are complimenting their cleanliness rather than their aesthetic elegance.
- The word 綺麗 was originally used to describe a 'pure' or 'clear' state, such as clear water, before it evolved to mean aesthetic beauty.
Examples in context
- 夕子さん、あなたはとてもきれいです。Yuko-san, you are very pretty.
- あなたはとても綺麗ですね。Anata wa totemo kirei desu ne.You are so pretty.
- 今日の陽葵さんはとても綺麗ですね。Kyou no Himari-san wa totemo kirei desu ne.Himari is so pretty today.
- そのドレスを着ているあなたはとても綺麗ですね。Sono doresu o kite iru anata wa totemo kirei desu ne.You are so pretty in that dress.
Example conversation
Kenta compliments Hiyori at a party.
- 健太 Kenta陽葵さん、とても綺麗ですね。Hiyori-san, totemo kirei desu ne.Hiyori, you're so pretty.
- 陽葵 Himariそんなことないですよ。sonna koto nai desu yo.I'm not that pretty.
- 健太 Kenta本当ですよ。とても似合っています。hontou desu yo. totemo niatte imasu.I really mean it. It suits you very well.
- 陽葵 Himariありがとうございます。arigatou gozaimasu.Thank you very much.
