Translation and Meaning of: 素敵 - suteki

The Japanese word 素敵[すてき] (suteki) is one of those terms that captivates not only for its sound but also for its meaning filled with positivity. If you have ever watched a dorama or anime, you have probably heard it in contexts ranging from compliments to people to descriptions of special moments. In this article, we will explore what makes this word so special, from its precise meaning to how it is used in everyday Japanese. Additionally, we will see tips for memorizing it and curiosities that show why it is so beloved.

Significado e uso de 素敵[すてき]

"Suteki" [すてき] is an adjective in the Japanese language that conveys the idea of something "wonderful," "charming," or "incredible." Unlike words such as きれい (kirei, "pretty"), which can be more generic, すてき carries a nuance of genuine admiration. It is often used to praise not just appearances, but also actions, ideas, or situations that impress positively.

An interesting detail is that, although it can be applied to objects and places, its most common use is related to people and moments. For example, saying "素敵な人" (suteki na hito) means "a wonderful person," while "素敵な時間" (suteki na jikan) refers to a "charming moment." This versatility makes the word appear in everyday conversations, from greetings to descriptions of memorable experiences.

Origin and curiosities about the word

The etymology of 素敵[すてき] is somewhat debated, but an accepted theory suggests that it emerged during the Edo period (1603-1868) as a combination of 素 (su, "simple" or "pure") and 的 (teki, "target" or "characteristic"). Originally, the expression "素的" (suteki) meant something like "in a striking way" or "remarkable," evolving later to the current sense of "charming."

One curiosity is that, despite being written with kanjis, many Japanese people choose to use only hiragana (すてき) in informal texts, which enhances its warm and accessible tone. Furthermore, the word is so popular that it frequently appears in songs, dramas, and even advertisements, always associated with positive feelings and the celebration of what is beautiful or inspiring.

Dicas para memorizar e usar 素敵[すてき]

For those learning Japanese, an effective way to solidify すてき is to associate it with situations that truly impressed you. For example, when visiting a beautiful place or meeting someone admirable, visualize the phrase "素敵だね" (suteki da ne, "isn't it wonderful?"). This kind of contextualization helps not only to remember the word but also its characteristic emotion.

Another tip is to pay attention to the use of the word in Japanese series and movies. Often, it appears in exciting or discovery scenes, which can naturally reinforce its meaning. And don't worry about making mistakes: すてき is a safe word and will hardly sound inappropriate, as long as it's used in positive contexts.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 素晴らしい (subarashii) - Wonderful, excellent
• すてき (suteki) - cool, adorable, charming
• 美しい (utsukushii) - Beautiful, nice
• 良い (yoi) - good, good condition

素敵

Romaji: suteki
Kana: すてき
Type: adjective
L: jlpt-n3, jlpt-n1

Translation / Meaning: adorable; dreamer; beautiful; great; fantastic; superb; cool; awesome

Meaning in English: lovely;dreamy;beautiful;great;fantastic;superb;cool;capital

Definition: Be attractive and make a good impression.

Example Sentences - (素敵) suteki

See below some example sentences:

この襟元のデザインがとても素敵ですね。

Kono eri moto no dezain ga totemo suteki desu ne

The design of this neck is very good.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this"
• 襟元 - noun meaning "collar"
• の - particle that indicates possession or relationship between words
• デザイン - noun that means "design"
• が - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• とても - adverb meaning "very"
• 素敵 - adjective meaning "beautiful" or "nice"
• です - Verb "to be" in polite form
• ね - particle indicating a rhetorical question or confirmation

カットした髪型が素敵ですね。

Katto shita kamigata ga suteki desu ne

The cut hairstyle is wonderful.

• カットした - cut
• 髪型 - hairstyle/haircut
• が - subject particle
• 素敵 - beautiful/charming
• です - Verb to be
• ね - confirmation/affirmation particle

朗らかな笑顔が素敵です。

Hogarakana egao ga suteki desu

A cheerful smile is beautiful.

The cheerful smile is wonderful.

• 朗らかな - cheerful, lively
• 笑顔 - smile
• が - subject particle
• 素敵 - beautiful, wonderful
• です - Verb "to be" in polite form

私は彼女の服装がとても素敵だと思います。

Watashi wa kanojo no fukusō ga totemo suteki da to omoimasu

I think her clothes are very beautiful.

I think her clothes are really cool.

• 私 - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• は - Japanese particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "I"
• 彼女 - Japanese noun meaning "she"
• の - Japanese particle that indicates possession, in this case, "hers."
• 服装 - Japanese noun meaning "clothing" or "clothes"
• が - Japanese particle that indicates the subject of the sentence, in this case, "clothing"
• とても - Japanese adverb that means "very"
• 素敵 - Japanese adjective meaning "beautiful" or "cool"
• だ - Japanese verb that indicates the existence or identity of the subject, in this case, "is"
• と - Japanese particle that indicates a direct quotation of what was said or thought, in this case, "to think"
• 思います - Japanese verb that means "to think" or "to believe"

素敵な景色ですね。

Suteki na keshiki desu ne

What a wonderful view.

It is a wonderful scenario.

• 素敵な - Adjective that means "beautiful" or "charming".
• 景色 - Noun that means "landscape" or "view".
• です - Auxiliary verb that indicates the present tense and the polite form.
• ね - Final particle that indicates a question or a confirmation.