Japanese word

綺麗

Pronunciation

Romajikirei

Meaning

  • na-adjectiveclean, beautiful

Example

部屋が綺麗です。heya ga ki rei de su

The room is clean.

Illustration for 綺麗 (clean)

More examples

この花は綺麗です。ko no hana wa ki rei de su

This flower is beautiful.

机の上を綺麗に片付けました。tsukue no ue o ki rei ni kata zu ke ma shi ta

I tidied up the desk.

Core concept

It presents something as clean and orderly, or as beautiful through its neat and attractive appearance.

Common phrases

  • 綺麗にするki rei ni su ru

    make clean

  • 綺麗な部屋ki rei na heya

    clean room

Similar words

清潔seiketsu: It describes a state of being free from dirt or harmful germs.

Definition in Japanese

汚れがなく清潔で、形や見た目が整っているさま。yogo re ga na ku sei ketsu de katachi ya mi ta me ga totono tte i ru sa ma

Word origin

綺麗 (kirei) is a Sino-Japanese compound of 綺 (ki, "figured silk") and 麗 (rei, "beautiful").

Usage tips

  • 綺麗 (kirei) can describe both a tidy room and an attractive person, with the intended sense shown by the surrounding context.

Opposites

Related words

  • 綺麗さkireisacleanlinessnoun

Word lists with this word