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:

この枝はとても美しいです。

Kono eda wa totemo utsukushii desu

This branch is very beautiful.

This branch is very beautiful.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this"
• 枝 - noun meaning "twig"
• 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 polite form

この杯はとても美しいです。

Kono hai wa totemo utsukushii desu

This cup is very beautiful.

This cup is very beautiful.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this"
• 杯 - Noun that means "glass" or "cup"
• は - topic particle that indicates the subject 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

「この汁は美味しいですね。」

Kono shiru wa oishii desu ne

This juice is delicious.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this"
• 汁 - noun meaning "broth"
• は - topic particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 美味しい - adjective meaning "delicious"
• です - auxiliary verb that indicates a polite and respectful way of speaking
• ね - final particle indicating confirmation or search for agreement

この橋はとても美しいです。

Kono hashi wa totemo utsukushii desu

This bridge is very beautiful.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this"
• 橋 - noun that means "bridge"
• は - Topic particle
• とても - adverb meaning "very"
• 美しい - Adjective that means "beautiful"
• です - state verb indicating "to be"

この湖は美しいです。

Kono mizuumi wa utsukushii desu

This lake is beautiful.

This lake is beautiful.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this"
• 湖 - noun that means "lake"
• は - topic particle that indicates the theme of the sentence, in this case, "the lake"
• 美しい - Adjective that means "beautiful"
• です - verb "to be" in the polite and polite form

この池はとても美しいです。

Kono ike wa totemo utsukushii desu

This lake is very beautiful.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this"
• 池 - noun that means "lake"
• は - topic particle indicating that the lake is the theme of the sentence
• とても - adverb meaning "very"
• 美しい - Adjective that means "beautiful"
• です - Verb "to be" in the present tense

この着物の模様は美しいですね。

Kono kimono no moyou wa utsukushii desu ne

The pattern of this kimono is beautiful.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this"
• 着物 - The word that means "kimono," a traditional Japanese garment.
• の - particle that indicates possession or relationship between two things
• 模様 - word that means "pattern" or "design"
• は - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 美しい - adjective meaning "beautiful" or "beautiful"
• です - auxiliary verb that indicates courtesy or formality
• ね - particle that indicates confirmation or agreement

この看板はとても美しいです。

Kono kanban wa totemo utsukushii desu

This sign is very beautiful.

This signal is very beautiful.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this"
• 看板 - noun meaning "sign" or "poster"
• は - topic particle indicating that the subject of the sentence is "this license plate"
• とても - adverb meaning "very"
• 美しい - adjective meaning "beautiful" or "beautiful"
• です - verb to be in the present tense

「この祭壇はとても美しいです」

Kono saidan wa totemo utsukushii desu

This altar is very beautiful.

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

この館はとても美しいです。

Kono yakata wa totemo utsukushii desu

This mansion is very beautiful.

This hall is very beautiful.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this"
• 館 - noun meaning "building"
• は - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• とても - adverb meaning "very"
• 美しい - Adjective that means "beautiful"
• です - Verb "to be" in polite form