Japanese Conversation · Level 116
60 words
Japanese word
優雅
Pronunciation
Romajiyūga
Meaning
- na-adjectivegraceful
Example
彼女は優雅に歩きます。kano jo wa yū ga ni aru ki ma su
She walks gracefully.
More examples
その庭園の設計は優雅です。so no tei en no sek kei wa yū ga de su
The design of that garden is elegant.
Core concept
Centers on an impression of cultured beauty that appears in the way something looks, moves, or is arranged.
Common phrases
優雅な身のこなしyū ga na mi no ko na shi
graceful movements
優雅に振る舞うyū ga ni fu ru ma u
behave gracefully
Similar words
優美yūbi: Describes beauty that has a refined and well-balanced form or movement.
上品jōhin: Describes an elegant quality based on good taste and careful restraint.
華麗karei: Describes beauty that is splendid, rich, and visually impressive.
雅やかmiyabiyaka: Describes a tasteful and refined beauty with a traditional character.
Definition in Japanese
人や物の姿、動き、趣などが、上品で美しく整っているさま。hito ya mono no sugata ugo ki omomuki na do ga jō hin de utsuku shi ku totono tte i ru sa ma
Word origin
The word 優雅 (yūga) uses the Sino-Japanese readings of 優 (yū, "gentle") and 雅 (ga, "elegant"), forming a compound for graceful refinement.
Usage tips
- English speakers may associate graceful mainly with movement, but 優雅な (yūgana) also commonly characterizes interiors, designs, and atmospheres with a polished quality.
Other meanings
- elegantna-adjective
- refinedna-adjective
Opposites
- 粗野soyaroughna-adjective
Related words
- 優雅さyūgasagracefulnessnoun