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:

彼女はとても美しいです。

Kanojo wa totemo utsukushii desu

Ela é muito bonita.

• 彼女 (kanojo) - she
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• とても (totemo) - very
• 美しい (utsukushii) - beautiful
• です (desu) - Verb "to be" in the present tense

彼女のドレスは真っ赤でとても美しかった。

Kanojo no doresu wa makka de totemo utsukushikatta

Her dress was living red and very beautiful.

His dress was bright and very beautiful red.

• 彼女の - "Kanojo no" means "of the girlfriend."
• ドレス - "Doresu" means "dress"
• は - "Wa" is a particle that indicates the topic of the sentence.
• 真っ赤 - "Makka" means "bright red".
• で - "De" is a particle that indicates the means or manner of something.
• とても - "totemo" means "very"
• 美しかった - "Utsukushikatta" means "it was beautiful."

心が蕩けるような美しい景色です。

Kokoro ga torokeru yōna utsukushī keshiki desu

It is such a beautiful landscape that my heart melts.

It is a beautiful scenario that makes your heart.

• 心が蕩ける - means "to melt the heart" or "to feel moved"
• ような - is a particle that indicates similarity or comparison, in this case, "like"
• 美しい - means "handsome" or "beautiful"
• 景色 - significa "paisagem" ou "vista"
• です - is a particle that indicates the end of the sentence and makes it an affirmative statement

悩ましい恋愛は美しい。

Nayamashii ren'ai wa utsukushii

The annoying romance is beautiful.

• 悩ましい - means "distressing" or "worrying".
• 恋愛 - means "love" or "romance".
• 美しい - means "pretty" or "beautiful".

慎むことは美徳です。

Tsutsushimu koto wa bitoku desu

Being careful is a virtue.

It is a virtue to stop.

• 慎む - Verb that means "to be careful" or "to be cautious".
• こと - noun that means "thing" or "subject".
• は - Article indicating the topic of the sentence, in this case "be careful".
• 美徳 - Noun that means "virtue" or "merit".
• です - Verb that indicates the polite and formal form of "to be" or "to stay".

我慢は美徳です。

Gaman wa bitoku desu

Patience is a virtue.

Patience is virtue.

• 我慢 (gaman) - patience, tolerance
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 美徳 (bitoku) - virtue, merit
• です (desu) - Verb to be/estar in the present

摘んで食べると美味しいです。

Tsumande taberu to oishii desu

It is delicious when harvested and eaten.

• 摘んで - Means "to collect" or "to harvest" in Japanese.
• 食べる - It means "eat" in Japanese.
• と - It is a Japanese particle that indicates a cause and effect relationship, in this case, "when."
• 美味しい - It means "delicious" or "tasty" in Japanese.
• です - It is a Japanese particle that indicates a formal declaration, in this case, "it is"

斑は美しい模様を持つ。

Madara wa utsukushii moyou wo motsu

Madara has a beautiful pattern.

Os pontos têm um belo padrão.

• 斑 - palavra em japonês que significa "mancha"
• は - particle in Japanese that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 美しい - adjetivo em japonês que significa "bonito"
• 模様 - substantivo em japonês que significa "padrão" ou "desenho"
• を - Direct object particle in Japanese.
• 持つ - verbo em japonês que significa "ter" ou "possuir"
• . - period indicating the end of the sentence

日の入りは美しいです。

Hinon'iri wa utsukushii desu

The sunset is beautiful.

The sunset is beautiful.

• 日の入り - It means "sunset" in Japanese.
• は - Topic particle
• 美しい - adjective meaning "beautiful" or "beautiful"
• です - Verb "to be" in polite form

日光は美しい自然がたくさんある場所です。

Nikkou wa utsukushii shizen ga takusan aru basho desu

Nikko is a place with a lot of beautiful nature.

• 日光 - Proper name referring to a city in Japan.
• は - grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 美しい - Adjective that means "beautiful"
• 自然 - Noun that means "nature"
• が - Grammatical particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• たくさん - Adverb that means "very"
• ある - Verb that means "to exist"
• 場所 - Noun that means "place"
• です - Linking verb that indicates the end of the sentence and formality.