Japanese word

上品

Pronunciation

Romajijōhin

Meaning

  • na-adjectiveelegant

Example

彼女の話し方は上品です。kano jo no hana shi kata wa jō hin de su

Her way of speaking is elegant.

Illustration for 上品 (elegant)

More examples

この店では、手頃な価格で上品な雰囲気を楽しめます。ko no mise de wa te goro na ka kaku de jō hin na fun i ki o tano shi me ma su

At this shop, you can enjoy an elegant atmosphere at an affordable price.

Core concept

Expresses an impression of elegance created by polished taste, good manners, and a lack of showiness.

Common phrases

  • 上品な話し方jō hin na hana shi kata

    elegant way of speaking

  • 上品な態度jō hin na tai do

    refined manner

  • 上品なデザインjō hin na de za i n

    elegant design

  • 上品に見えるjō hin ni mi e ru

    look elegant

Similar words

丁寧teinei: Describes a respectful and careful manner in speech, actions, or treatment of others.
優雅yūga: Describes an attractive refinement expressed through grace and ease.
端正tansei: Describes an orderly and well-balanced quality in appearance, conduct, or expression.
高雅kōga: Describes a cultivated and elevated quality in taste, culture, or conduct.

Definition in Japanese

態度や服装などにいやみがなく、洗練された感じがするさま。tai do ya fuku sō na do ni i ya mi ga na ku sen ren sa re ta kan ji ga su ru sa ma

Word origin

上品 (jōhin, "elegant") is a Sino-Japanese compound of 上 (jō, "upper") and 品 (hin, "quality or class"), reflecting its older sense of a high grade.

Usage tips

  • When 上品 (jōhin) describes a person's speech, it often suggests calm and considerate wording rather than a formal speaking style alone.

Other meanings

  • refinedna-adjective
  • sophisticatedna-adjective

Opposites

Related words

  • 上品さjōhinsaelegancenoun
  • 上品ぶるjōhinburuaffect refinementverb

Word lists with this word