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:

この字体は美しいですね。

Kono jitai wa utsukushii desu ne

This source is beautiful

This source is beautiful.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
• 字体 - noun that means "font" or "style of writing"
• は - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 美しい - adjective meaning "beautiful" or "beautiful"
• です - verb to be in the polite form
• ね - particle at the end of a sentence that indicates confirmation or seeks agreement

この店屋は美味しいラーメンを提供しています。

Kono ten'ya wa oishii ramen o teikyō shite imasu

This shop offers delicious ramen.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
• 店屋 - noun that means "store" or "commercial establishment"
• は - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence, in this case "this store"
• 美味しい - adjective that means "delicious" or "tasty"
• ラーメン - noun that means "ramen," a Japanese noodle dish
• を - direct object particle that indicates the object of the sentence, in this case "ramen"
• 提供しています - verb meaning "to provide" or "to offer", conjugated in the present continuous to indicate an action in progress, in this case "is providing"

この料理はとても美味しいです。

Kono ryōri wa totemo oishii desu

This food is very delicious.

This dish is very delicious.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
• 料理 - noun that means "cuisine" or "dish"
• は - topic particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• とても - adverb meaning "very"
• 美味しい - adjective meaning "delicious"
• です - auxiliary verb that indicates the polite or formal form of discourse

この曲の節はとても美しいです。

Kono kyoku no fushi wa totemo utsukushii desu

The clause of this song is very beautiful.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
• 曲 - noun meaning "music"
• の - particle that indicates possession or belonging
• 節 - noun meaning "stretch" or "section"
• 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 polite and polite form

この絵は美しい着色がされています。

Kono e wa utsukushii chakushoku ga sarete imasu

This painting has a beautiful color.

This image is beautifully colored.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
• 絵 - noun that means "painting" or "drawing"
• は - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 美しい - adjective meaning "beautiful" or "beautiful"
• 着色 - noun that means "coloring" or "painting"
• が - Particle that marks the subject of the sentence
• されています - passive verb in the polite form meaning "was done" or "was painted"

この結晶は美しいですね。

Kono kesshō wa utsukushī desu ne

This crystallization is beautiful

This crystal is beautiful.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
• 結晶 - noun that means "crystal"
• は - topic particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 美しい - adjective meaning "beautiful" or "beautiful"
• です - verb to be/in shape polite
• ね - ending particle indicating a rhetorical question or confirmation

この美術館は素晴らしい展示をしています。

Kono bijutsukan wa subarashii tenji o shiteimasu

This museum has a wonderful display.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
• 美術館 - noun meaning "art museum"
• は - topic particle indicating the subject of the sentence, in this case, "this art museum"
• 素晴らしい - adjective that means "wonderful" or "excellent"
• 展示 - noun meaning "display" or "exhibition"
• を - direct object particle indicating the target of the action, in this case, "display/exhibition"
• しています - verb meaning "to be doing" or "to be accomplishing"

この風景は美しいです。

Kono fuukei wa utsukushii desu

This landscape is beautiful.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
• 風景 - The noun that means "landscape" or "scenery".
• は - topic particle indicating the subject of the sentence, in this case, "this landscape"
• 美しい - adjective meaning "beautiful" or "beautiful"
• です - verb "to be" in a polite and formal way

この付近には美味しいレストランがたくさんあります。

Kono fukin ni wa oishii resutoran ga takusan arimasu

There are many delicious restaurants near here.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this"
• 付近 - noun that means "neighborhood"
• には - particle that indicates "in" or "on"
• 美味しい - adjective meaning "delicious"
• レストラン - noun meaning "restaurant"
• が - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• たくさん - adverb that means "many"
• あります - Verb that means "to exist"

この光景は美しいです。

Kono koukei wa utsukushii desu

This scene is beautiful.

This view is beautiful.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this"
• 光景 - noun that means "scene" or "landscape"
• は - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 美しい - adjective meaning "beautiful" or "beautiful"
• です - verb to be in the present, indicating that the sentence is in the present tense and that the scene is beautiful