Japanese word

可憐

Pronunciation

Romajikaren

Meaning

  • na-adjectivecharming

Example

彼女は可憐な声で歌います。kano jo wa ka ren na koe de uta i ma su

She sings in a charming voice.

Illustration for 可憐 (charming)

More examples

庭の隅に可憐な花が咲いています。niwa no sumi ni ka ren na hana ga sa i te i ma su

A delicate flower is blooming in the corner of the garden.

Core concept

Describes a person or thing whose delicate appearance or manner creates a feeling of affection and admiration.

Common phrases

  • 可憐な少女ka ren na shō jo

    a charming girl

  • 可憐な花ka ren na hana

    a delicate flower

  • 可憐な姿ka ren na sugata

    a charming figure

Similar words

愛らしいairashii: Describes a person or thing that inspires affection through a sweet and appealing quality.
キュートkyūto: Describes a person or thing with a youthful, playful, or fashionable appeal.
チャーミングchāmingu: Describes a person or thing with a pleasing quality that attracts affection or goodwill.

Definition in Japanese

姿や振る舞いが愛らしく、繊細でか弱い感じがするさま。sugata ya fu ru ma i ga ai ra shi ku sen sai de ka yowa i kan ji ga su ru sa ma

Word origin

The Sino-Japanese word 可憐 (karen, "charming") combines 可 (ka, "acceptable") and 憐 (ren, "compassion"), linking attractiveness with a tender, delicate quality.

Usage tips

  • The Japanese adjective 可憐 (karen) often suggests delicate or vulnerable charm, so it can describe a flower or a gentle voice as well as a person.

Other meanings

  • prettyna-adjective
  • delicatena-adjective

Opposites

Related words

  • 可憐さkarensacharmnoun

Word lists with this word