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:

日の出は美しいです。

Hinode wa utsukushii desu

The sunrise is beautiful.

• 日の出 - "Sunrise" means "nascer do sol" in Portuguese.
• は - Japanese topic particle
• 美しい - The adjective that means "pretty" or "beautiful" in Japanese is "美しい" (utsukushii).
• です - "Ser" in Japanese, used to indicate an affirmation or a formal statement

日本の酒はとても美味しいです。

Nihon no sake wa totemo oishii desu

Japanese sake is very delicious.

• 日本 - Japan
• の - Possession particle
• 酒 - alcoholic beverage, sake
• は - Topic particle
• とても - very
• 美味しい - delicious
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

日向は美しい場所です。

Hinata wa utsukushii basho desu

Hinata is a beautiful place.

Hyuga is a beautiful place.

• 日向 - A name that refers to a city located in Miyazaki Prefecture, Japan.
• は - Grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "日向".
• 美しい - Adjective that means "beautiful" or "pretty".
• 場所 - Noun meaning "place" or "location".
• です - Auxiliary verb that indicates a polite or polished way of expressing an idea, in this case, "is".

日本は美しい国です。

Nihon wa utsukushii kuni desu

Japan is a beautiful country.

• 日本 - Proper name, referring to the country Japan.
• は - Grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "Japan".
• 美しい - Adjective that means "beautiful" or "pretty".
• 国 - Noun that means "country".
• です - verb "to be" in a polite and formal way.

本国の文化は多様で美しいです。

Honkoku no bunka wa tayou de utsukushii desu

A cultura do país de origem é diversa e bonita.

• 本国 - significa "país de origem" ou "país natal".
• の - Title that indicates possession or expiration.
• 文化 - refere-se à cultura de um povo ou nação.
• は - partícula que indica o tema principal da frase.
• 多様 - means "diverse" or "varied".
• で - particle that indicates the means or way in which something is done.
• 美しい - Adjective that means "beautiful" or "pretty".
• です - verbo "ser" na forma educada ou formal.

柔らかい肉は美味しいです。

Yawarakai niku wa oishii desu

Tender meat is delicious.

• 柔らかい - adjective that means "soft" or "smooth"
• 肉 - noun that means "meat"
• は - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 美味しい - adjective that means "delicious" or "tasty"
• です - linking verb that indicates the polite or formal form of the sentence

極めて美しい景色です。

Kyokumete utsukushii keshiki desu

It is an extremely beautiful landscape.

It is a very beautiful view.

• 極めて - extremely
• 美しい - beautiful
• 景色 - landscape
• です - is

水面に映る夕日は美しいです。

Suimen ni utsuru yuuhi wa utsukushii desu

The sunset reflected on the surface of the water is beautiful.

The sunset on the surface of the water is beautiful.

• 水面に - "on the surface of the water"
• 映る - "refletido"
• 夕日 - "sunset"
• 美しい - "bonito"
• です - "is"

沸騰した湯でお茶を入れると美味しいです。

Futtou shita yu de ocha wo ireru to oishii desu

It is delicious to add tea with boiling water.

• 沸騰した - fervent
• 湯 - hot water
• お茶 - tea
• 入れる - place
• 美味しい - delicious
• です - is

沖縄は美しい島です。

Okinawa wa utsukushii shima desu

Okinawa is a beautiful island.

• 沖縄 - Okinawa, name of the region the sentence refers to
• は - Topic marker, indicates that the subject of the sentence is Okinawa.
• 美しい - beautiful
• 島 - ilha
• です - verb to be in present, indicating that Okinawa is a beautiful island