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:
Tsubomi wa utsukushii hana no hajimari desu
The flower starts with a beautiful bud.
Buds are the beginning of beautiful flowers.
- 蕾 - means "bud" in Japanese.
- は - Japanese grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence.
- 美しい - Japanese adjective that means "pretty" or "beautiful".
- 花 - Japanese noun meaning "flower".
- の - Japanese grammatical particle indicating possession or relationship.
- 始まり - Japanese noun meaning "beginning" or "start".
- です - Japanese verb indicating "to be" or "to be" (polite form).
Shibafu ga utsukushii desu
The grass is beautiful.
The lawn is beautiful.
- 芝生 (shibafu) - grass
- が (ga) - subject particle
- 美しい (utsukushii) - beautiful
- です (desu) - Verb "to be" in the present tense
Hana wa utsukushii desu
The flowers are beautiful.
The flowers are beautiful.
- 花 - means "flower" in Japanese
- は - it is a grammatical particle that marks the topic of the sentence
- 美しい - means "pretty" or "beautiful" in Japanese
- です - is a polite way of saying "is" or "are" in Japanese
Kadan ni wa utsukushii hana ga saite imasu
Beautiful flowers are blooming in the flowerbed.
Beautiful flowers are blooming in the flowerbed.
- 花壇 (かだん) - means "flower bed".
- に - particle indicating the location of the action, in this case, "in the flower bed".
- は - particle indicating the topic of the sentence, in this case, "the flower bed".
- 美しい (うつくしい) - Adjective that means "beautiful" or "pretty".
- 花 (はな) - noun meaning "flower".
- が - particle indicating the subject of the sentence, in this case, "the flowers".
- 咲いています (さいています) - verb meaning "they are blooming".
Hanayome wa utsukushii desu
The bride is beautiful.
The bride is beautiful.
- 花嫁 (hanayome) - bride
- は (wa) - Topic particle
- 美しい (utsukushii) - beautiful
- です (desu) - Verb to be/estar in the present
Me ga mebuku haru no fuukei wa utsukushii desu
The spring landscape where the buds start to bloom is beautiful.
The spring scenery where the buds bloom is beautiful.
- 芽が芽吹く - shoots start to grow
- 春の - spring
- 風景は - landscape
- 美しいです - is beautiful
Sobieru yamayama wa utsukushii desu
The high mountains are beautiful.
The rising mountains are beautiful.
- 聳える (sobaeru) - means "to rise" or "to rise".
- 山々 (yamayama) - means "mountains".
- は (wa) - Grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence.
- 美しい (utsukushii) - means "pretty" or "beautiful".
- です (desu) - linking verb that indicates the present tense and formality.
Egawaga wa utsukushii desu
The painting is beautiful.
The painting is beautiful.
- 絵画 (kaiga) - Painting
- は (wa) - Topic particle
- 美しい (utsukushii) - Beautiful, lovely
- です (desu) - verb to be in the polite form
Tate ni narabu kigi wa utsukushii
The vertically aligned trees are beautiful.
The vertical trees are beautiful.
- 縦に - vertically
- 並ぶ - align
- 木々 - trees
- は - Topic particle
- 美しい - beautiful
Utsukushii keshiki ga mieru
A beautiful landscape can be seen.
You can see the beautiful scenario.
- 美しい (utsukushii) - pretty, beautiful
- 景色 (keshiki) - landscape, view
- が (ga) - subject particle
- 見える (mieru) - to be seen, to be visible