Translation and Meaning of: 美しい - utsukushii
If you are studying Japanese, you have probably come across the word 美しい (うつくしい), which means "beautiful" or "charming." But do you know how it originated, how it is used in everyday life, or even how to memorize it effectively? In this article, we will explore the etymology, usage, and even curiosities about this expression so present in Japanese culture. Additionally, you will learn how to write the kanji correctly and some tips to fix this word in your vocabulary. If you use Anki or another spaced repetition method, get ready to jot down practical examples!
The origin and etymology of 美しい
The word 美しい has deep roots in the Japanese language, and its kanji, 美, is composed of two elements: 羊 (sheep) and 大 (big). Why would a big sheep be associated with beauty? In ancient China, where the character originated, big sheep were considered symbols of prosperity and harmony, attributes that naturally relate to the concept of beauty. Over time, the ideogram was incorporated into Japanese with the same aesthetic meaning.
Interestingly, the reading うつくしい (utsukushii) is one of the many Japanese words that carry an almost poetic sound. Some linguists suggest that the ending "shii" is common in adjectives that describe subjective qualities, such as 楽しい (tanoshii - fun) and 悲しい (kanashii - sad). Do you notice how the Japanese language has its own musicalities?
Lies in everyday life and cultural nuances
Unlike Portuguese, where "bonito" can be used in a more casual way, 美しい carries a more elevated, almost lyrical tone. You would hardly use it to compliment a new pair of shoes, but rather to describe a stunning landscape, a work of art, or even an act of kindness. It is the type of word that appears in poems, songs, and formal speeches, giving an air of sophistication to what is said.
A valuable tip: the Japanese often use 美しい for things that have a pure, almost untouched beauty. Have you noticed how cherry blossoms (桜) are often described this way? There is even a specific term, 花見 (hanami), for the tradition of appreciating their fleeting beauty. If you want to impress a native, try saying "桜が美しいですね" (sakura ga utsukushii desu ne) next spring!
Tips for memorization and writing
If you have difficulty remembering how to write the kanji 美, try associating it with the image of a "big sheep" (羊 + 大). It may seem silly, but our brains love visual stories! Another technique is to create flashcards with images of things you truly consider beautiful - whether it's a sunset, a zen garden, or even your favorite well-arranged sushi dish. Emotion helps to reinforce vocabulary.
And be careful of the trap: do not confuse 美しい (utsukushii) with きれい (kirei), which also means "pretty" but is used more in everyday situations. While kirei can describe anything from a tidy room to a dress, utsukushii is reserved for something truly beautiful in a deeper sense. How about practicing by making two sentences, one with each word? That way, you'll never mix them up again!
Vocabulary
Expand your vocabulary with related words:
Synonyms and similar words
- 美しく (Utsukushiku) - Beautiful, nice
- 美麗な (Bireina) - Extremely beautiful, attractive
- 艶やかな (Ayanakana) - Brilliant, seductive
- 華麗な (Kareina) - Magnificent, splendid
- 麗しい (Uruwashii) - Beautiful, charming
- 優美な (Yubi na) - Funny, elegant
- 洒落た (Shareta) - Stylish, sophisticated
- 上品な (Joihin na) - Refined, elegant
- 優雅な (Yūgana) - Elegant, graceful
- 高貴な (Kōkina) - Noble, dignified
Related words
Romaji: utsukushii
Kana: うつくしい
Type: adjective
L: jlpt-n4
Translation / Meaning: beautiful; charming
Meaning in English: beautiful;lovely
Definition: Something that looks beautiful in appearance and shape.
Quick Access
- Vocabulary
- Writing
- Sentences
How to Write in Japanese - (美しい) utsukushii
See below a step-by-step guide on how to write the word by hand in Japanese. (美しい) utsukushii:
Example Sentences - (美しい) utsukushii
See below some example sentences:
Kure no fuukei ga utsukushii desu
The twilight landscape is beautiful.
The dawn landscape is beautiful.
- 暮れの風景 - sunset landscape
- が - subject particle
- 美しい - beautiful
- です - Verb to be/estar in the present
Shodō wa utsukushii geijutsu desu
Calligraphy is a beautiful art.
Calligraphy is a beautiful art.
- 書道 - Japanese calligraphy art
- は - Topic particle
- 美しい - Beautiful, lovely
- 芸術 - art
- です - verb to be in the polite form
Hoshi ga kagayaku yozora wa utsukushii desu
The bright starry night is beautiful.
The night sky where the star shines is beautiful.
- 星が輝く - hoshi ga kagayaku- the stars shine
- 夜空 - yozora- night sky
- は - wa- Topic particle
- 美しい - utsukushii- pretty, beautiful
- です - desu- verb to be in the polite form
Nihon ni wa utsukushii sanmyaku ga takusan arimasu
There are many beautiful mountain ranges in Japan.
There are many beautiful mountains in Japan.
- 日本 - Japan
- に - particle indicating destination or location
- は - topic particle, which indicates the main subject of the sentence
- 美しい - beautiful
- 山脈 - Mountain chain
- が - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
- たくさん - many
- あります - verb "existir" in the present affirmative
Nihon wa utsukushii kuni desu
Japan is a beautiful country.
Japan is a beautiful country.
- 日本 - Japan
- は - Topic particle
- 美しい - beautiful
- 国 - country
- です - Ser/estar (polite form)
Choukoku wa utsukushii geijutsu desu
Sculpture is a beautiful art form.
Sculpture is a beautiful art.
- 彫刻 - sculpture
- は - Topic particle
- 美しい - beautiful
- 芸術 - art
- です - be (state verb)
Danryoku ga aru hada wa utsukushii desu
Skin with elasticity is beautiful.
The elastic skin is beautiful.
- 弾力がある - elastic, resilient
- 肌 - skin
- 美しい - beautiful
- です - is (polite form of the verb to be)
Yama wa utsukushii desu
The mountain is beautiful.
The mountain is beautiful.
- 山 (yama) - Mountain
- は (wa) - Topic particle
- 美しい (utsukushii) - Beautiful, lovely
- です (desu) - Verb to be/estar in the present
Sangaku wa utsukushii shizen no keshiki desu
The mountains are beautiful natural landscapes.
The mountains are beautiful natural landscapes.
- 山岳 - mountains
- は - Topic particle
- 美しい - beautiful
- 自然 - nature
- の - Possession particle
- 景色 - landscape
- です - Verb to be/estar in the present
Misaki kara miru yuuhi wa utsukushii desu
The sunset seen from the cape is beautiful.
The sunset seen from the cape is beautiful.
- 岬 (misaki) - Peninsula
- から (kara) - from, starting at
- 見る (miru) - To see
- 夕日 (yuuhi) - Sunset
- は (wa) - Topic particle
- 美しい (utsukushii) - pretty, beautiful
- です (desu) - Verb "to be" in the present tense
Other Words of this Type: adjective
See other words from our dictionary that are also: adjective