Japanese Conversation · Level 21
90 words
Japanese word
美人
Pronunciation
Romajibijin
Meaning
- nounbeautiful woman
Example
彼女は美人です。kano jo wa bi jin de su
She is a beautiful woman.
More examples
駅で見かけた美人に道を聞きました。eki de mi ka ke ta bi jin ni michi o ki ki ma shi ta
I asked the beautiful woman I saw at the station for directions.
Core concept
Describes a woman whose overall appearance is regarded as notably attractive.
Common phrases
美人女優bi jin jo yū
beautiful actress
美人コンテストbi jin ko n te su to
beauty contest
Similar words
美女bijo: A woman regarded as exceptionally beautiful, with a somewhat formal tone.
Definition in Japanese
顔立ちや姿かたちが際立って美しい女性。kao da chi ya sugata ka ta chi ga kiwa da tte utsuku shi i jo sei
Word origin
美人 (bijin) combines 美 (bi, "beauty") with 人 (jin, "person"), forming a Sino-Japanese word for a beautiful woman.
Usage tips
- In everyday conversation, 美人 (bijin) can sound like a direct judgment of a woman's appearance, so it is usually used when that judgment is relevant.