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

優美

yuubi

grace; refinement; elegance

褒美

houbi

reward; award

美容

biyou

beauty of figure or shape

美術

bijyutsu

art; fine arts

美人

bijin

beautiful person (female)

賛美

sanbi

Praise; Worship; Glorification

華美

kabi

pomp; splendor; gaudy

美味しい

oishii

delicious; Tasty

美しい

utsukushii

beautiful; charming

ハンサム

hansamu

beautiful

Romaji: bi
Kana:
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:

連なる山々は美しい景色を作り出す。

Rennaru yamayama wa utsukushii keshiki o tsukuridasu

The rows of mountains create a beautiful landscape.

The changing mountains create beautiful landscapes.

  • 連なる - means "in a row" or "in sequence".
  • 山々 - means "mountains" (the repeated kanji 山 indicates plurality).
  • は - topic particle, indicates that the subject of the sentence is "the mountains in sequence".
  • 美しい - Adjective that means "beautiful" or "pretty".
  • 景色 - Noun that means "landscape" or "view".
  • を - direct object particle, indicates that "beautiful landscape" is the object of the action.
  • 作り出す - verb meaning "create" or "produce".
青白い肌が美しいです。

Aojiroi hada ga utsukushii desu

Pale skin is beautiful.

Pale skin is beautiful.

  • 青白い (aojirai) - pale, whitish
  • 肌 (hada) - pele
  • が (ga) - subject particle
  • 美しい (utsukushii) - pretty, beautiful
  • です (desu) - verb to be in the polite form
蝶は美しい春の象徴です。

Chou wa utsukushii haru no shouchou desu

Butterflies are a beautiful symbol of spring.

Butterflies are a beautiful symbol of spring.

  • 蝶 (ちょう) - butterfly
  • は - Topic particle
  • 美しい (うつくしい) - Beautiful, nice
  • 春 (はる) - spring
  • の - Possession particle
  • 象徴 (しょうちょう) - symbol, emblem
  • です - polite way of being
点々と星が輝く夜空が美しいです。

Ten ten to hoshi ga kagayaku yozora ga utsukushii desu

The night with shining stars dotted is beautiful.

The night sky where the star shines is beautiful.

  • 点々と - Dotted
  • 星が - stars
  • 輝く - shining
  • 夜空が - night sky
  • 美しいです - pretty
桜が咲く春は美しいです。

Sakura ga saku haru wa utsukushii desu

The spring when the cherry blossoms are in bloom is beautiful.

The spring when the cherry blossoms are in bloom are beautiful.

  • 桜 (さくら) - cherry blossom
  • が - subject particle
  • 咲く (さく) - to blossom
  • 春 (はる) - spring
  • は - Topic particle
  • 美しい (うつくしい) - pretty, beautiful
  • です - polite way of being
日焼けした肌が美しいです。

Nisshoku shita hada ga utsukushii desu

Tanned skin is beautiful.

Tanned skin is beautiful.

  • 日焼けした - means "tanned"
  • 肌 - means "skin"
  • が - subject particle
  • 美しい - means "beautiful"
  • です - Verb "to be" in polite form
山腹には美しい紅葉が見られる。

Yamahara ni wa utsukushii momiji ga mirareru

On the hillside of the mountain

Beautiful autumn leaves can be seen on the hillside.

  • 山腹 - means "mountain slope".
  • に - particle that indicates location.
  • は - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence.
  • 美しい - adjective that means "beautiful".
  • 紅葉 - noun that means "red foliage" or "autumn leaves".
  • が - Particle that indicates the subject of the sentence.
  • 見られる - verb that means "can be seen".
光の屈折は美しいです。

Kou no kussetsu wa utsukushii desu

The refraction of light is beautiful.

The refraction of light is beautiful.

  • 光の屈折 - Refraction of light
  • は - Topic particle
  • 美しい - pretty
  • です - Verb to be/estar in the present
オーケストラの演奏は美しいです。

Ookesutora no ensou wa utsukushii desu

The presentation of an orchestra is beautiful.

The orchestra performance is beautiful.

  • オーケストラ - orchestra
  • の - Possessive particle (indicates that the orchestra is the subject of the sentence)
  • 演奏 - Performance, execution (in this case, of the orchestra)
  • は - Topic particle (indicates that the performance of the orchestra is the theme of the sentence)
  • 美しい - Nice, beautiful, beautiful
  • です - Copula particle (indicates that the sentence is an affirmative statement)
麓には美しい景色が広がっている。

Fumoto ni wa utsukushii keshiki ga hirogatte iru

There is a beautiful view that spreads out at the foot of the mountain.

A beautiful landscape spreads at the foot.

  • 麓 (Fumoto) - It means "base" or "foot of a mountain".
  • に (ni) - is a particle that indicates the location of something.
  • は (wa) - It is a particle that marks the topic of the sentence.
  • 美しい (utsukushii) - means "pretty" or "beautiful".
  • 景色 (keshiki) - It means "landscape" or "view".
  • が (ga) - It is a particle that marks the subject of the sentence.
  • 広がっている (hiroga tte iru) - It is a verbal form that indicates that something is spreading or extending.

Other Words of this Type: noun

See other words from our dictionary that are also: noun

美