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

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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:

丘陵は美しい自然の景色です。

Kyūryō wa utsukushii shizen no keshiki desu

The hill is a beautiful natural landscape.

• 丘陵 - hills
• は - Topic particle
• 美しい - pretty
• 自然 - nature
• の - Possessive particle
• 景色 - landscape
• です - is

中央にある公園はとても美しいです。

Chūō ni aru kōen wa totemo utsukushii desu

The park in the center is very beautiful.

• 中央にある - located in the center
• 公園 - park
• は - Topic particle
• とても - very
• 美しい - beautiful
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

中腹にある寺はとても美しいです。

Chūfuku ni aru tera wa totemo utsukushii desu

The temple in the hill is very beautiful.

• 中腹にある - located on the slope
• 寺 - temple
• は - Topic particle
• とても - very
• 美しい - beautiful
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

九州は美しい島です。

Kyushu wa utsukushii shima desu

Kyushu is a beautiful island.

Kyushu is a beautiful island.

• 九州 - name of the region in southern Japan
• は - grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 美しい - adjective meaning "beautiful" or "beautiful"
• 島 - noun meaning "island"
• です - verb to be in the polite form

光沢のある髪の毛が美しいです。

Kōtaku no aru kaminoke ga utsukushīdesu

The shiny hair is beautiful.

• 光沢 - shine
• の - Possession particle
• ある - exist
• 髪の毛 - hair
• が - subject particle
• 美しい - beautiful
• です - Ser/estar (polite form)

全国には美しい景色がたくさんあります。

Zenkoku ni wa utsukushii keshiki ga takusan arimasu

There are many beautiful landscapes across the country.

• 全国 - it means "the whole country"
• には - it is a particle that indicates the existence of something in a specific place, in this case, "throughout the country"
• 美しい - It means "beautiful"
• 景色 - means "landscape" or "view"
• が - it is a particle that indicates the subject of the sentence, in this case, "landscape"
• たくさん - It means "many" or "much"
• あります - It is a verb that means "to exist" or "to have"

内陸地には美しい山々があります。

Nairikuji ni wa utsukushii yamayama ga arimasu

There are beautiful mountains in the interior areas.

• 内陸地 - It means "inland area" or "hinterland".
• には - It is a Japanese particle that indicates the existence of something in a specific area.
• 美しい - means "pretty" or "beautiful".
• 山々 - It means "mountains" or "mountain range".
• が - It is a Japanese particle that indicates the subject of the sentence.
• あります - It is a verb that means "to exist" or "to be present."

刺繍は美しいです。

Shishuu wa utsukushii desu

Embroidery is beautiful.

• 刺繍 - embroidery
• は - Topic particle
• 美しい - Beautiful, lovely
• です - verb to be in the polite form

刺身は美味しいです。

Sashimi wa oishii desu

Sashimi is delicious.

• 刺身 - sashimi, raw slices of fish or seafood
• は - Topic particle
• 美味しい - Delicious, tasty
• です - verb to be in the present, indicating affirmation or politeness

加味した料理は美味しいです。

Kami shita ryouri wa oishii desu

The dishes you add are delicious.

• 加味した (kamishita) - added flavor
• 料理 (ryouri) - dish, cuisine
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 美味しい (oishii) - delicious
• です (desu) - Verb to be/estar in the present