Translation and Meaning of: 美 - bi

The Japanese word 「美」, read as "bi" in romaji, represents the concept of beauty. It is fundamental in Japanese culture and aesthetics, playing a central role in the appreciation of art, design, and nature. Beauty, or 「美」, is seen as a harmonious combination of simplicity, subtlety, and elegance, reflected in various forms such as ikebana (flower arrangement) and wabi-sabi, which values the beauty of imperfection.

Etymologically, the kanji 「美」 is composed of two main elements: 「羊」, which means sheep, and 「大」, which means big. In ancient times, sheep were considered precious animals, and their association with the size "big" suggested something of inestimable value. Thus, the composition of the elements suggests that beauty was perceived as something of great worth. This interpretation may still seem abstract, but it demonstrates the evolution of the concept of beauty associated with preciousness and cultural value in Japanese tradition.

The Japanese language also contains various variations and words derived from 「美」. For example, 「美しい」(utsukushii) is an adjective that means "beautiful" or "pretty," widely used to describe landscapes, people, and works of art. Another variation is 「美人」(bijin), which refers to a beautiful person, usually used to describe women. The concept of beauty encapsulated by 「美」 is not just visual; it is deeply integrated into the aesthetic and emotional experience, being a vital part of garden design, tea ceremonies, and even the presentation of meals in Japan.

Cultural Meaning of 「美」

• In Japan, beauty is often associated with ephemeral moments, such as the changing of seasons or the blossoming of cherry trees, encapsulating the perfect balance between permanence and transience.
• The term also reflects profound aesthetic values in the principles of respecting harmony and simplicity in the creation and appreciation of art.
• The idea of arigata-meiwaku, which means accepting an undue favor that causes problems but appreciating it for the beautiful gesture, reflects the intricate understanding and respect for beauty in social interactions.

Furthermore, 「美」 plays a central role in Zen philosophy, where true beauty is perceived through meditation and a life of simplicity. The expression is truly emblematic of how Japanese cultural values and traditions shape and define the perception of aesthetics. It encourages people to find beauty in everything around them, even in the simplest and most everyday things.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 美しい (Utsukushii) - Pretty, cute
• 美麗 (Birei) - Extremely beautiful, elegant
• 美観 (Bikan) - Aesthetic appearance, visual beauty
• 美貌 (Bibō) - Beautiful appearance, physical beauty
• 美形 (Bikei) - Beautiful shape, beautiful form
• 美意識 (Biishiki) - Aesthetic consciousness, perception of beauty
• 美意識的 (Biishikiteki) - Regarding aesthetic consciousness
• 美的 (Biteki) - Aesthetic, related to beauty
• 美学的 (Bigakuteki) - Aesthetic in terms of the philosophy of beauty
• 美術的 (Bijutsuteki) - Regarding the arts, especially visual arts
• 美容的 (Biyōteki) - Regarding beauty and personal care
• 美食的 (Bishokuteki) - Aesthetic gastronomy, beautiful food
• 美徳的 (Bitokuteki) - Virtuoso, related to aesthetic virtues
• 美味的 (Bōiteki) - Delicious, tasty
• 美姿勢 (Bisise) - Beautiful posture, aesthetic posture
• 美姿 (Biji) - Beautiful form, attractive appearance
• 美姿容 (Bijiyō) - Beautiful appearance, external beauty
• 美姿形 (Bishikei) - Aesthetic form, beauty of form
• 美姿美 (Bijibi) - Triple beauty, beauty from all perspectives
• 美姿美形 (Bijibikei) - Beauty in form and appearance
• 美姿美貌 (Bijibibō) - Beauty and attractive appearance
• 美姿端麗 (Biji Tanrei) - Elegance in beauty
• 美姿端麗な (Biji Tanrein na) - To be elegantly beautiful
• 美姿端麗なる (Biji Tanrein naru) - To have an elegantly beautiful nature

美

Romaji: bi
Kana: び
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n1

Translation / Meaning: beauty

Meaning in English: beauty

Definition: Beauty: Word that refers to something beautiful or aesthetic.

Example Sentences - (美) bi

See below some example sentences:

この果実はとても甘くて美味しいです。

Kono kajitsu wa totemo amakute oishii desu

This fruit is very sweet and delicious.

This fruit is very sweet and delicious.

• この - indicates that something is near or being pointed out
• 果実 - fruit
• は - topic particle, indicates that the subject of the sentence is the fruit
• とても - very
• 甘くて - sweet and
• 美味しい - savory
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

この精巧な彫刻は本当に美しいです。

Kono seikou na choukoku wa hontou ni utsukushii desu

Esta escultura intricada é realmente bonita.

Esta escultura elaborada é realmente linda.

• この - indica que o objeto está próximo do falante, pode ser traduzido como "este".
• 精巧な - adjetivo que significa "preciso" ou "elaborado".
• 彫刻 - substantivo que significa "escultura" ou "entalhe".
• は - partícula que indica o tópico da frase, pode ser traduzida como "sobre" ou "a respeito de".
• 本当に - advérbio que significa "realmente" ou "verdadeiramente".
• 美しい - Adjective that means "beautiful" or "pretty".
• です - Verb "to be" in polite form.

この美術館に寄贈された作品は素晴らしいです。

Kono bijutsukan ni kizon sareta sakuhin wa subarashii desu

The works donated to this museum are marvelous.

The work donated to this museum is wonderful.

• この - indicates that what follows is close or related to the speaker
• 美術館 - art museum
• に - particle that indicates the location where something is or takes place
• 寄贈された - The verb "kizō" in the past tense means "donated."
• 作品 - Work of art
• は - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 素晴らしい - The adjective "subarashii" means "wonderful."
• です - the verb "desu", which indicates the polite and formal way of speaking

この商品の包装はとても美しいです。

Kono shouhin no housou wa totemo utsukushii desu

The packaging of this product is very beautiful.

The packaging of this product is very beautiful.

• この - Demonstrative pronoun meaning "this" or "this one".
• 商品 - noun meaning "product" or "merchandise".
• の - Particle that indicates possession or relationship.
• 包装 - noun that means "packaging".
• は - Particle that indicates the topic of the sentence.
• とても - adverb that means "very" or "extremely".
• 美しい - Adjective that means "beautiful" or "pretty".
• です - verb "to be" in the polite and formal form.

この絵画の感触はとても美しいです。

Kono kaiga no kanshoku wa totemo utsukushii desu

The feel of this frame is very beautiful.

The feel of this painting is very beautiful.

• この - indicates "this" or "this one"
• 絵画 - means "painting" or "picture"
• の - particle that indicates possession or belonging
• 感触 - means "tactile sensation" or "texture"
• は - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• とても - adverb meaning "very"
• 美しい - adjective meaning "beautiful" or "beautiful"
• です - verb "to be" in the present tense, indicating the polite or formal form

この花瓶は美しいですね。

Kono kabin wa utsukushii desu ne

Esta jarra é bonita

Este vaso é lindo.

• この - indicates proximity, in this case, "this"
• 花瓶 - significa "vaso de flores"
• は - partícula de tópico, indica que o que vem depois é o assunto da frase
• 美しい - Adjective that means "beautiful"
• です - Verb "to be" in polite form
• ね - partícula de finalização que indica confirmação ou busca de concordância

この形容動詞はとても美しいです。

Kono keiyō dōshi wa totemo utsukushii desu

This adjective is very beautiful.

This adjective verb is very beautiful.

• この - this
• 形容動詞 - descriptive adjective
• は - Topic particle
• とても - very
• 美しい - beautiful
• です - is (polite way of putting it)

くっきりとした輪郭が美しい。

Kukkiri to shita rinkaku ga utsukushii

A clear and sharp contour is beautiful.

The clear sketch is beautiful.

• くっきりとした - "clear" or "clear"
• 輪郭 - "contour" or "profile"
• 美しい - "handsome" or "beautiful"

オレンジは美味しい果物です。

Orenji wa oishii kudamono desu

Orange is a delicious fruit.

Orange is a delicious fruit.

• オレンジ (orenji) - orange
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 美味しい (oishii) - delicious
• 果物 (kudamono) - fruit
• です (desu) - Verb to be/estar in the present

アフリカは美しい大陸です。

Afurika wa utsukushii tairiku desu

África é um belo continente.

A África é um belo continente.

• アフリカ - Africa
• は - Topic particle
• 美しい - Beautiful, lovely
• 大陸 - continent
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present