Japanese word

絶妙

Pronunciation

Romajizetsumyō

Meaning

  • na-adjectiveperfect

Example

そのタイミングは絶妙です。so no ta i mi n gu wa zetsu myō de su

The timing is perfect.

Illustration for 絶妙 (perfect)

More examples

彼の冗談は、緊張を和らげる絶妙なひと言です。kare no jō dan wa kin chō o yawa ra ge ru zetsu myō na hi to koto de su

His joke is a perfect line that eases the tension.

Core concept

Describes a result whose elements come together with an unusually fine balance, making it feel exactly right.

Common phrases

  • 絶妙なタイミングzetsu myō na ta i mi n gu

    perfect timing

  • 絶妙なバランスzetsu myō na ba ra n su

    perfect balance

  • 絶妙な組み合わせzetsu myō na ku mi a wa se

    perfect combination

Similar words

完璧kanpeki: Meets every relevant condition without any flaw or shortcoming.
見事migoto: Shows an outstanding level of skill or quality in its result.
巧妙kōmyō: Uses carefully planned skill or subtle methods to achieve a result.

Definition in Japanese

物事の組み合わせや加減が、過不足なく非常によく整っているさま。mono goto no ku mi a wa se ya ka gen ga ka fu soku na ku hi jō ni yo ku totono tte i ru sa ma

Word origin

The Sino-Japanese word 絶妙 (zetsumyō) combines 絶 (zetsu, "surpassing") and 妙 (myō, "subtle"), giving a sense of exceptional refinement.

Usage tips

  • In Japanese conversation, 絶妙 (zetsumyō) often praises a balance that is hard to achieve, so it can describe timing, wording, taste, or design.

Other meanings

  • exquisitena-adjective
  • subtlena-adjective

Opposites

Related words

  • 絶妙さzetsumyōsasubtletynoun

Word lists with this word