Japanese word

色気

Pronunciation

Romajiiroke

Meaning

  • nounsex appeal

Example

あの俳優には色気があります。a no hai yū ni wa iro ke ga a ri ma su

That actor has sex appeal.

Illustration for 色気 (sex appeal)

More examples

その歌手は、派手な衣装がなくても色気を感じさせます。so no ka shu wa ha de na i shō ga na ku te mo iro ke o kan ji sa se ma su

That singer conveys sex appeal even without flashy clothes.

Core concept

Expresses the kind of personal charm that makes someone appear sensually attractive to others.

Common phrases

  • 色気があるiro ke ga a ru

    have sex appeal

  • 色気を出すiro ke o da su

    show sex appeal

  • 色気のある話し方iro ke no a ru hana shi kata

    a sensual way of speaking

Similar words

色香iroka: A form of personal charm that creates sensual attraction.
艶tsuya: A quality of appearance or manner that gives an alluring impression.
魅力miryoku: A quality that makes someone or something appealing and draws interest or affection.

Definition in Japanese

外見やしぐさなどから感じられる、性的な魅力。gai ken ya shi gu sa na do ka ra kan ji ra re ru sei teki na mi ryoku

Word origin

The word 色気 (iroke) joins 色 (iro, "color" or "sensual appeal") and 気 (ke, "air" or "quality"), and the compound came to mean a quality that draws sensual interest.

Usage tips

  • In English, sex appeal usually describes a quality perceived in a person, although it can also describe the sensual attraction created by a performance or advertisement.

Other meanings

  • allurenoun
  • sensualitynoun

Related words

  • 色気づくirokizukubecome sexually awareverb

Word lists with this word