Japanese word

かわいい

Pronunciation

Romajikawaii

Meaning

  • i-adjectivecute

Example

この子犬はかわいいです。ko no ko inu wa ka wa i i de su

This puppy is cute.

Illustration for かわいい (cute)

More examples

妹はその猫をかわいいと思っています。imōto wa so no neko o ka wa i i to omo tte i ma su

My younger sister thinks that cat is cute.

Core concept

Describes someone or something that is charming, lovable, or pleasing, often with a small or gentle quality.

Common phrases

  • かわいい子ka wa i i ko

    cute child

  • かわいい犬ka wa i i inu

    cute dog

  • かわいい猫ka wa i i neko

    cute cat

Similar words

愛らしいairashii: Describes someone or something with a gentle charm that makes it appealing and lovable.

Definition in Japanese

姿や形、様子などが愛らしく、好ましいさま。sugata ya katachi yō su na do ga ai ra shi ku kono ma shi i sa ma

Word origin

As a native Japanese adjective, かわいい (kawaii) comes from older かはゆし (kahayushi), which shifted from expressing pity to expressing endearment; 可愛い (kawaii) is an ateji spelling.

Usage tips

  • The English loanword kawaii often names a cute style, while Japanese かわいい (kawaii) applies more broadly to people, animals, objects, and behavior.

Other meanings

  • prettyi-adjective

Opposites

Related words

  • かわいらしいkawairashiiadorablei-adjective
  • かわいさkawaisacutenessnoun

Word lists with this word