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:

最も美しい花は桜です。

Saikō mo utsukushii hana wa sakura desu

The most beautiful flower is the cherry tree.

The most beautiful flower is cherry flowers.

• 最も - more
• 美しい - beautiful
• 花 - flower
• は - is
• 桜 - cherry blossom
• です - is (polite way of putting it)

暮れの風景が美しいです。

Kure no fuukei ga utsukushii desu

The twilight landscape is beautiful.

The dawn landscape is beautiful.

• 暮れの風景 - sunset landscape
• が - subject particle
• 美しい - beautiful
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

曲線美は日本の美意識の一つです。

Kyuusenbi wa Nihon no biishiki no hitotsu desu

The beauty of curves is one of the aesthetic sensibilities of Japan.

The beauty of curvature is one of Japan's aesthetics.

• 曲線美 - the beauty of curves
• は - Topic marking particle
• 日本 - Japan
• の - Possession particle
• 美意識 - sense of beauty
• の - Possession particle
• 一つ - I'm sorry, but I need the text you would like me to translate. Please provide the content for translation.
• です - verb to be in the polite form

書道は美しい芸術です。

Shodō wa utsukushii geijutsu desu

Calligraphy is a beautiful art.

Calligraphy is a beautiful art.

• 書道 - Japanese calligraphy art
• は - Topic particle
• 美しい - Beautiful, lovely
• 芸術 - art
• です - verb to be in the polite form

星が輝く夜空は美しいです。

Hoshi ga kagayaku yozora wa utsukushii desu

The bright starry night is beautiful.

The night sky where the star shines is beautiful.

• 星が輝く - hoshi ga kagayaku- the stars shine
• 夜空 - yozora- night sky
• は - wa- Topic particle
• 美しい - utsukushii- pretty, beautiful
• です - desu- verb to be in the polite form

日本には美しい山脈がたくさんあります。

Nihon ni wa utsukushii sanmyaku ga takusan arimasu

There are many beautiful mountain ranges in Japan.

There are many beautiful mountains in Japan.

• 日本 - Japan
• に - particle indicating destination or location
• は - topic particle, which indicates the main subject of the sentence
• 美しい - beautiful
• 山脈 - Mountain chain
• が - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• たくさん - many
• あります - verb "existir" in the present affirmative

日本は美しい国です。

Nihon wa utsukushii kuni desu

Japan is a beautiful country.

Japan is a beautiful country.

• 日本 - Japan
• は - Topic particle
• 美しい - beautiful
• 国 - country
• です - Ser/estar (polite form)

意外と美味しいですね。

Igai to oishii desu ne

Surprisingly

It's surprisingly delicious.

• 意外と - unexpectedly
• 美味しい - delicious
• です - is
• ね - NÃO É?

彼女の美しさには呆れるばかりだ。

Kanojo no utsukushisa ni wa akireru bakari da

I am impressed by her beauty.

I am impressed by her beauty.

• 彼女 - her in Japanese
• の - Particle of possession, indicating that "she" is the owner of something.
• 美しさ - "beauty" in Japanese
• には - particle that indicates focus or emphasis
• 呆れる - "to be surprised" or "to be amazed" in Japanese
• ばかり - particle that indicates that something is "only" or "just"
• だ - verb "to be" in Japanese, indicating that the sentence is in the present

彫刻は美しい芸術です。

Choukoku wa utsukushii geijutsu desu

Sculpture is a beautiful art form.

Sculpture is a beautiful art.

• 彫刻 - sculpture
• は - Topic particle
• 美しい - beautiful
• 芸術 - art
• です - be (state verb)