Japanese word

スマート

Pronunciation

Romajisumāto

Meaning

  • na-adjectivesmart

Example

彼はスマートな服を選びます。kare wa su mā to na fuku o era bi ma su

He chooses smart clothes.

Illustration for スマート (smart)

More examples

髪型を変えると、全体の印象がスマートになります。kami gata o ka e ru to zen tai no in shō ga su mā to ni na ri ma su

Changing your hairstyle makes your overall look more stylish.

Core concept

Smart describes a quality that makes a person seem quick-minded, efficient, or stylishly neat.

Common phrases

  • スマートに見えるsu mā to ni mi e ru

    look smart

  • スマートな着こなしsu mā to na ki ko na shi

    a smart outfit

Similar words

聡明sōmei: Describes a person with quick understanding and sound judgment.
利口rikō: Describes a person who understands things quickly and acts sensibly.
粋iki: Describes an appearance or manner that is tasteful and refined.
おしゃれoshare: Describes an appearance or style that is fashionable and carefully put together.

Definition in Japanese

物事を手際よくこなす知性があるさま。また、外見や服装が整っていてしゃれているさま。mono goto o te giwa yo ku ko na su chi sei ga a ru sa ma ma ta gai ken ya fuku sō ga totono tte i te sha re te i ru sa ma

Word origin

The Japanese word スマート (sumāto) comes from English smart, ultimately related to Old English smeart, "painful" or "sharp"; the sense of mental sharpness later extended to neat or stylish appearance.

Usage tips

  • For advanced learners, スマート (sumāto) is a useful false-friend warning because its appearance-related sense is common in Japanese but does not cover every use of English smart.

Other meanings

  • stylishna-adjective

Opposites

  • 野暮ったいyabottaiunfashionablei-adjective

Related words

  • スマートさsumātosastylishnessnoun

Word lists with this word