How to Say Beautiful in Japanese
Learn how to say beautiful in Japanese. 'Kirei' (きれい) is everyday beautiful/pretty; 'Utsukushii' (美しい) is deeper, elegant beauty. Pronunciation guide + how to compliment.
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Quick answer
To say beautiful in Japanese, 'Kirei' (きれい, kee-ray) is the everyday word for beautiful, pretty, or clean. For deeper, more elegant or profound beauty, use 'Utsukushii' (美しい, oo-tsoo-koo-shee). 'Kirei' is more common and casual; 'utsukushii' is more poetic and formal. Both describe people, scenery, and art.
きれい
/kee-ray/ — Japanese
How to Say Beautiful in Japanese
Japanese has two main words for “beautiful,” each with a distinct feel — one everyday and versatile, one deeper and more poetic. Choosing the right one adds nuance to your compliment.
The Two Words
| Japanese | Romaji | Pronunciation | Feel |
|---|---|---|---|
| きれい | Kirei | kee-ray | Pretty, beautiful, clean (everyday) |
| 美しい | Utsukushii | oo-tsoo-koo-shee | Beautiful, elegant, profound (deeper) |
Copy the Phrase
The Japanese word for “beautiful” is きれい (Kirei, kee-ray) for everyday beauty, or 美しい (Utsukushii) for deeper, elegant beauty.
Kirei vs. Utsukushii
This is the key distinction:
Kirei (きれい) — everyday, versatile:
- Pretty, lovely, beautiful
- Also means clean / tidy (a uniquely Japanese link between beauty and cleanliness)
- Used for people, flowers, rooms, scenery, and neatness
- More common and casual
Utsukushii (美しい) — deeper, refined:
- Beautiful in a profound, elegant, moving sense
- More literary and emotional
- Used for breathtaking scenery, art, sublime beauty
- More formal/poetic
Rough guide: kirei = pretty/lovely (everyday), utsukushii = beautiful/sublime (deeper).
The Beauty-and-Cleanliness Link
A fascinating cultural note: kirei means both “beautiful” and “clean.”
- Kirei na heya — a beautiful OR clean room
- Te o kirei ni suru — make your hands clean
This reflects a deep Japanese cultural association between beauty, neatness, and purity. Context makes the meaning clear.
Complimenting Someone
| Japanese | Romaji | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| きれいです | Kirei desu | You’re beautiful (polite) |
| きれいだね | Kirei da ne | You’re beautiful (casual, warm) |
| 美しいです | Utsukushii desu | You’re beautiful (deeper) |
| きれい！ | Kirei! | Beautiful! / Pretty! (exclamation) |
Cultural note: directly complimenting someone’s appearance can feel a bit forward in Japan, so it’s often softened. But “Kirei!” about scenery, flowers, or objects is extremely common and always safe.
A Quick Grammar Point
- Kirei is a na-adjective: kirei na hana (beautiful flower — note the “na”)
- Utsukushii is an i-adjective: utsukushii hana (no “na”)
Related Beauty Words
| Japanese | Romaji | Nuance |
|---|---|---|
| きれい | Kirei | Pretty, beautiful, clean |
| 美しい | Utsukushii | Beautiful, elegant, sublime |
| かわいい | Kawaii | Cute, adorable |
| かっこいい | Kakkoii | Cool, handsome |
| 素敵 | Suteki | Lovely, wonderful, nice |
Pronunciation Recap
- Kirei — kee-ray (two beats; “rei” = “ray”)
- Utsukushii — oo-tsoo-koo-shee (the “tsu” like the end of “cats”; long final “ee”)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Kirei and Utsukushii?
'Kirei' (きれい) is everyday beautiful/pretty/clean — versatile and common, used for people, rooms, flowers, and tidiness. 'Utsukushii' (美しい) is deeper, more elegant, refined, and profound beauty — more literary and emotional, used for breathtaking scenery, art, or a moving kind of beauty. Roughly: kirei = pretty/lovely (everyday), utsukushii = beautiful/sublime (deeper). Kirei also means 'clean,' which utsukushii does not.
How do you pronounce Kirei?
'Kirei' is pronounced kee-ray (きれい). Two beats: ki-rei, where 'rei' sounds like the English 'ray.' The 'r' is the soft Japanese tap. It's often written 'kirei' or 'kirē.' Don't pronounce it 'KY-ree' — it's 'kee-ray.' 'Utsukushii' is oo-tsoo-koo-shee, with the 'tsu' sound (like the end of 'cats') and a long final 'ee.'
Does Kirei mean beautiful or clean?
Both! 'Kirei' (きれい) means beautiful/pretty AND clean/tidy, depending on context. 'Kirei na heya' could mean a beautiful room or a clean room. 'Te o kirei ni suru' = make your hands clean. This dual meaning reflects a Japanese cultural link between beauty and cleanliness/neatness. Context makes the intended meaning clear.
How do you say 'you are beautiful' in Japanese?
'Kirei desu' (きれいです) = you are beautiful/pretty (polite). 'Kirei da ne' (きれいだね) = you're beautiful, isn't that so (casual, warm). For deeper beauty: 'Utsukushii desu.' To say it directly to someone: '(Name)-san wa kirei desu.' Note that complimenting appearance directly can feel forward in Japan, so it's often softened or implied. 'Kirei!' as an exclamation about scenery or things is very common and safe.
Is Kirei a na-adjective or i-adjective?
'Kirei' is a 'na-adjective' (even though it ends in 'i', it behaves like na-adjectives grammatically) — so it's 'kirei na hana' (beautiful flower) with 'na' before a noun. 'Utsukushii' is a true 'i-adjective' — 'utsukushii hana' (no 'na'). This is a small grammar point but useful: kirei takes 'na', utsukushii does not.