How do you say "beautiful" in Japanese?

美しい

utsukushii

Adjective Kanji

In Japanese, "beautiful" is 美しい (utsukushii).

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Pronunciation

美しい is written using kanji. Romanised as utsukushii, it sounds roughly like "oo-tsoo-koo-shee" to an English ear.

Writing and usage

Utsukushii (美しい) is an i-adjective that is more formal and elegant than kirei na. It typically describes refined beauty in nature, art, or profound aesthetics rather than everyday cleanliness or prettiness.

Example sentence

あの花はとても美しいです。

Ano hana wa totemo utsukushii desu.

That flower is very beautiful.

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How to remember 美しい

The kanji 美 uses a radical for sheep or hair, reflecting how Japanese traditionally associated beauty with good appearance. Visualize beautiful flowing hair.

Related words

Browse all Japanese words in the glossary.

See more Japanese adjectives.

Questions about 美しい

How do you pronounce 美しい?

美しい is romanised as utsukushii. Say it roughly like "oo-tsoo-koo-shee" in English. Each Japanese syllable has even weight, so keep the rhythm steady.

Is 美しい formal or casual?

美しい is a neutral, everyday word that works in both casual and polite speech. The level of formality comes from the sentence structure around it, not from the word itself.

How is 美しい written in Japanese?

美しい is written using kanji. Utsukushii (美しい) is an i-adjective that is more formal and elegant than kirei na.

Where can I practice Japanese words for free?

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"Beautiful" in other languages

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