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:

この地名はとても美しいです。

Kono chimei wa totemo utsukushii desu

This place name is very beautiful.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this"
• 地名 - noun that means "name of place"
• は - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• とても - adverb meaning "very"
• 美しい - Adjective that means "beautiful"
• です - verb to be in the polite form

この塔はとても美しいです。

Kono tou wa totemo utsukushii desu

This tower is very beautiful.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this"
• 塔 - noun that means "tower"
• は - topic particle that indicates that "this tower" is the subject of the sentence
• とても - adverb meaning "very"
• 美しい - adjective meaning "beautiful"
• です - verb to be in the present tense

この地点には美しい景色が見えます。

Kono chiten ni wa utsukushii keshiki ga miemasu

In this place

You can see a beautiful landscape at this time.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this"
• 地点 - noun that means "point" or "location"
• に - particle that indicates "in" or "at"
• は - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case "this point"
• 美しい - adjective meaning "beautiful" or "beautiful"
• 景色 - noun that means "landscape" or "view"
• が - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence, in this case "the beautiful landscape"
• 見えます - verb that means "can be seen"

この字は美しいですね。

Kono ji wa utsukushii desu ne

This letter is beautiful

This character is beautiful.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this"
• 字 - kanji which means "character" or "letter"
• は - Topic particle
• 美しい - adjective meaning "beautiful" or "beautiful"
• です - Verb "to be" in polite form
• ね - particle of confirmation or agreement

この壷は美しい色合いをしています。

Kono tsubo wa utsukushii iroai o shiteimasu

This vase has a beautiful color combination.

This pan has a beautiful shade.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this"
• 壷 - noun that means "jug" or "vase"
• は - topic particle that indicates that "this jar" is the subject of the sentence
• 美しい - adjective meaning "beautiful" or "beautiful"
• 色合い - noun that means "combination of colors" or "hue"
• を - direct object particle indicating that "the combination of colors" is the object of the sentence
• しています - verb that means "to have" or "to possess," in the present tense and polite form

この実物はとても美しいです。

Kono jitsubutsu wa totemo utsukushii desu

This royal piece is very beautiful.

This real thing is very beautiful.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this"
• 実物 - noun that means "real object"
• は - topic particle indicating that the subject of the sentence is "実物"
• とても - adverb meaning "very"
• 美しい - Adjective that means "beautiful"
• です - Verb "to be" in polite form

この宝器は美しいですね。

Kono houki wa utsukushii desu ne

This jar is beautiful

This treasure is beautiful.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this"
• 宝器 - noun meaning "vessel of treasure" or "receptacle of value"
• は - particle that marks the theme of the sentence
• 美しい - adjective meaning "beautiful" or "beautiful"
• です - Verb "to be" in polite form
• ね - particle indicating a rhetorical question or confirmation
• . - Period

この建物はとても美しいです。

Kono tatemono wa totemo utsukushii desu

This construction is very beautiful.

This building is very beautiful.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this"
• 建物 - noun meaning "building"
• は - topic particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• とても - adverb meaning "very"
• 美しい - Adjective that means "beautiful"
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

この映画は美しい景色が映る。

Kono eiga wa utsukushii keshiki ga utsuru

This movie shows beautiful landscapes.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this"
• 映画 - noun meaning "film"
• は - topic particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 美しい - Adjective that means "beautiful"
• 景色 - noun meaning "landscape"
• が - subject particle that indicates who is performing the action
• 映る - Verb that means "to be reflected" or "to be projected"

この景色は美しいです。

Kono keshiki wa utsukushii desu

This landscape is beautiful.

This view is beautiful.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this"
• 景色 - noun meaning "landscape"
• は - particle that marks the theme of the sentence
• 美しい - adjective that means "pretty, beautiful"
• です - Verb "to be" in polite form