Japanese word

美しい

Pronunciation

Romajiutsukushii

Meaning

  • i-adjectivebeautiful

Example

この花は美しいです。ko no hana wa utsuku shi i de su

This flower is beautiful.

Illustration for 美しい (beautiful)

More examples

彼女は美しい声で歌います。kano jo wa utsuku shi i koe de uta i ma su

She sings with a beautiful voice.

Core concept

Describes something whose form, condition, or character feels pleasing because it is finely balanced.

Common phrases

  • 美しい景色utsuku shi i keshiki

    beautiful scenery

  • 美しい声utsuku shi i koe

    beautiful voice

  • 美しい夢utsuku shi i yume

    beautiful dream

Similar words

かわいいkawaii: Having a charming, lovable quality, often because of a small, childlike, or endearing appearance.
かっこいいkakkoii: Having an impressive, stylish, or admirable appearance, manner, or character.

Definition in Japanese

見た目や状態などが整っていて、心を引かれるさま。mi ta me ya jō tai na do ga totono tte i te kokoro o hi ka re ru sa ma

Word origin

The native Japanese adjective 美しい (utsukushii) developed from the older form うつくし (utsukushi), which first expressed affection for something lovable and later came to describe beauty.

Usage tips

  • In everyday Japanese, 美しい (utsukushii) can describe not only scenery and objects but also voices, actions, and character, so it expresses admiration beyond appearance.

Other meanings

  • lovelyi-adjective
  • prettyi-adjective
  • purei-adjective

Opposites

Related words

  • 美しさutsukushisabeautynoun

Word lists with this word