Japanese word

可愛らしい

Pronunciation

Romajikawairashii

Meaning

  • i-adjectivelovely, cute

Example

その人形は可愛らしいです。so no nin gyō wa kawai ra shi i de su

That doll is lovely.

Illustration for 可愛らしい (lovely)

More examples

この子犬は可愛らしいです。ko no ko inu wa kawai ra shi i de su

This puppy is cute.

彼女は可愛らしい声で歌います。kano jo wa kawai ra shi i koe de uta i ma su

She sings in a lovely voice.

Core concept

Describes something whose cuteness is gentle, charming, and naturally endearing.

Common phrases

  • 可愛らしい笑顔kawai ra shi i e gao

    lovely smile

  • 可愛らしい声kawai ra shi i koe

    lovely voice

  • 可愛らしい仕草kawai ra shi i shi gusa

    cute gesture

Similar words

可愛いkawaii: Describes something cute in a broad and familiar way.
愛らしいairashii: Describes something charmingly attractive in its appearance or manner.
愛くるしいaikurushii: Describes something very cute in a way that inspires affection, often through youthful features.

Definition in Japanese

見た目や様子に、親しみを誘う愛らしさが感じられるさま。mi ta me ya yō su ni shita shi mi o saso u ai ra shi sa ga kan ji ra re ru sa ma

Word origin

可愛らしい (kawairashii) combines 可愛い (kawaii, "cute") with the suffix らしい (rashii, "having the quality of"), forming an adjective for a charmingly cute quality.

Usage tips

  • The English loanword kawaii often names a Japanese style or aesthetic, whereas 可愛らしい (kawairashii) is an everyday adjective for something charmingly cute.

Other meanings

  • sweeti-adjective

Opposites

Related words

  • 可愛らしさkawairashisalovelinessnoun

Word lists with this word