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:

この織物は美しいですね。

Kono orimono wa utsukushii desu ne

This weaving is beautiful

This textile is beautiful.

• この - demonstrative pronoun indicating proximity, in this case "this"
• 織物 - noun meaning "fabric"
• は - particle indicating the topic of the sentence, in this case "the fabric"
• 美しい - Adjective that means "beautiful"
• です - Verb "to be" in polite form
• ね - particle indicating a rhetorical question or confirmation, in this case, "isn't it?"

この皿はとても美しいです。

Kono sara wa totemo utsukushii desu

This sign is very beautiful.

This dish is very beautiful.

• この - Demonstrative pronoun meaning "this" or "this one".
• 皿 - Noun meaning "dish".
• は - Topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence.
• とても - Adverb meaning "a lot".
• 美しい - Adjective that means "beautiful" or "pretty".
• です - A linking verb that indicates the state or quality of the subject.

このデザインは美しいパターンを持っています。

Kono dezain wa utsukushii patān o motte imasu

This design has a beautiful pattern.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
• デザイン - noun that means "design"
• は - topic particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 美しい - adjective meaning "beautiful" or "beautiful"
• パターン - noun meaning "pattern" or "model"
• を - direct object particle indicating the object of the action
• 持っています - verb that means "to have" or "to possess" in the present

この会館は美しい建物です。

Kono kaikan wa utsukushii tatemono desu

This association is a beautiful building.

This hall is a beautiful building.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
• 会館 - noun meaning "headquarters of an organization" or "meeting house"
• は - topic particle indicating the subject of the sentence, in this case, "this building"
• 美しい - adjective meaning "beautiful" or "beautiful"
• 建物 - noun meaning "building" or "construction"
• です - linking verb that indicates the existence or state of something, in this case, "is"

この公園には美しい噴水があります。

Kono kōen ni wa utsukushii funsui ga arimasu

In this park there is a beautiful fountain.

There is a beautiful fountain in this park.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
• 公園 - noun that means "park"
• に - particle indicating the location of something, in this case "at"
• は - particle indicating the topic of the sentence, in this case, "this park"
• 美しい - adjective meaning "beautiful" or "beautiful"
• 噴水 - noun meaning "spring" or "fountain"
• が - particle indicating the subject of the sentence, in this case, "the source"
• あります - verb meaning "to exist" or "to be present"

この句はとても美しいです。

Kono ku wa totemo utsukushii desu

This sentence is very beautiful.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
• 句 - noun meaning "verse" or "short poem"
• 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 polite form

この器はとても美しいです。

Kono utsuwa wa totemo utsukushii desu

This bowl is very beautiful.

This ship is very beautiful.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
• 器 - noun meaning "utensil", "container" or "vessel"
• は - topic particle indicating the subject of the sentence, in this case "this container"
• とても - adverb meaning "very" or "extremely"
• 美しい - adjective meaning "pretty", "beautiful" or "elegant"
• です - verb ser/estar in the polite and formal form

この図形は美しいです。

Kono zukei wa utsukushii desu

This figure is beautiful.

This figure is beautiful.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
• 図形 - noun that means "geometric figure"
• は - topic particle that indicates that the subject of the sentence is "this geometric figure"
• 美しい - adjective meaning "beautiful" or "beautiful"
• です - verb to be or to be in the polite form

この地域の特産品は非常に美味しいです。

Kono chiiki no tokusanhin wa hijō ni oishii desu

Special products in this area are very delicious.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
• 地域 - noun meaning "region"
• の - possessive particle that indicates ownership or belonging
• 特産品 - compound noun that means "specialized product" or "typical product"
• は - topic particle indicating the main subject of the sentence
• 非常に - adverb meaning "very" or "extremely"
• 美味しい - adjective that means "delicious" or "tasty"
• です - linking verb indicating the existence or state of something

この地方の名産品は美味しいです。

Kono chihō no meisanshin wa oishii desu

This local specialty is delicious.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
• 地方 - Noun that means "region" or "location"
• の - particle that indicates possession or relationship between two words
• 名産品 - compound noun meaning "local product" or "region's specialty"
• は - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 美味しい - adjective that means "delicious" or "tasty"
• です - auxiliary verb indicating a polite or respectful way of speaking