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 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
Related words
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.
Quick Access
- Vocabulary
- Writing
- Sentences
How to Write in Japanese - (美) bi
See below a step-by-step guide on how to write the word by hand in Japanese. (美) bi:
Example Sentences - (美) bi
See below some example sentences:
Sen wa utsukushii dezain wo tsukuri dasu juuyou na youso desu
Line is an important factor in creating a beautiful design.
- 線 - means "line" in Japanese
- は - Japanese topic particle
- 美しい - The adjective that means "pretty" or "beautiful" in Japanese is "美しい" (utsukushii).
- デザイン - borrowed from the English word for "design"
- を - Direct Object Particle in Japanese
- 作り出す - verb meaning "to create" or "to produce" in Japanese
- 重要な - 重要 (じゅうよう)
- 要素 - noun meaning "element" or "component" in Japanese
- です - verb "to be" in Japanese, used to indicate a statement or affirmation
Kagayaku hoshizora ga utsukushii desu
The bright starry sky is beautiful.
The bright starry sky is beautiful.
- 輝く - brillant
- 星空 - Starlit sky
- が - subject particle
- 美しい - beautiful
- です - Verb to be/estar in the present
Kenson wa bitoku desu
Modesty is a virtue.
In short is a virtue.
- 謙遜 (Kenson) - humility
- は (wa) - Topic particle
- 美徳 (bitoku) - virtue
- です (desu) - Verb to be/estar in the present
Tsubomi wa utsukushii hana no hajimari desu
The flower starts with a beautiful bud.
Buds are the beginning of beautiful flowers.
- 蕾 - means "bud" in Japanese.
- は - Japanese grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence.
- 美しい - Japanese adjective that means "pretty" or "beautiful".
- 花 - Japanese noun meaning "flower".
- の - Japanese grammatical particle indicating possession or relationship.
- 始まり - Japanese noun meaning "beginning" or "start".
- です - Japanese verb indicating "to be" or "to be" (polite form).
Shibafu ga utsukushii desu
The grass is beautiful.
The lawn is beautiful.
- 芝生 (shibafu) - grass
- が (ga) - subject particle
- 美しい (utsukushii) - beautiful
- です (desu) - Verb "to be" in the present tense
Hana wa utsukushii desu
The flowers are beautiful.
The flowers are beautiful.
- 花 - means "flower" in Japanese
- は - it is a grammatical particle that marks the topic of the sentence
- 美しい - means "pretty" or "beautiful" in Japanese
- です - is a polite way of saying "is" or "are" in Japanese
Kadan ni wa utsukushii hana ga saite imasu
Beautiful flowers are blooming in the flowerbed.
Beautiful flowers are blooming in the flowerbed.
- 花壇 (かだん) - means "flower bed".
- に - particle indicating the location of the action, in this case, "in the flower bed".
- は - particle indicating the topic of the sentence, in this case, "the flower bed".
- 美しい (うつくしい) - Adjective that means "beautiful" or "pretty".
- 花 (はな) - noun meaning "flower".
- が - particle indicating the subject of the sentence, in this case, "the flowers".
- 咲いています (さいています) - verb meaning "they are blooming".
Hanayome wa utsukushii desu
The bride is beautiful.
The bride is beautiful.
- 花嫁 (hanayome) - bride
- は (wa) - Topic particle
- 美しい (utsukushii) - beautiful
- です (desu) - Verb to be/estar in the present
Me ga mebuku haru no fuukei wa utsukushii desu
The spring landscape where the buds start to bloom is beautiful.
The spring scenery where the buds bloom is beautiful.
- 芽が芽吹く - shoots start to grow
- 春の - spring
- 風景は - landscape
- 美しいです - is beautiful
Kabi na sōshoku ga heya o kazatte iru
Elaborate decorations beautify the room.
Beautiful decorations are decorating the room.
- 華美な - means "luxurious" or "decorated with elegance."
- 装飾 - means "decoration".
- が - Particle that indicates the subject of the sentence.
- 部屋 - means "room".
- を - particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence.
- 飾っている - it is the present continuous form of the verb 飾る (kazaru), which means "to decorate".
Other Words of this Type: noun
See other words from our dictionary that are also: noun
