🇯🇵 Japanese phrases

How to Say "Beautiful" in Japanese

The SPAIKING TeamJuly 27, 2026
美しい
"Beautiful" in Japanese · say it like ee-tsu-ka-shii

The most natural way to say "Beautiful" in Japanese is 美しい. Tap the speaker above to hear it, then say it back out loud. That is the fastest way to make it stick.

Other ways to say it

綺麗
used more for cleanliness or neatness
素敵
often used for something charming or lovely

When to use it

Use '美しい' when describing something that is visually appealing, like nature or art. It can also be used to compliment someone's appearance. It's a versatile word that conveys a sense of admiration.

Say it out loud, get corrected

Reading it is not the same as saying it. Practice "Beautiful" and thousands more with an AI coach that listens.

Examples in Japanese

JapaneseEnglish
この花は美しいです。This flower is beautiful.
彼女は美しい声を持っています。She has a beautiful voice.
Common mistake
Learners often confuse '美しい' with '綺麗', but '美しい' is more about beauty while '綺麗' can refer to cleanliness.

The fastest way to remember it

Vocabulary you only read fades fast. Vocabulary you say out loud sticks. Hear 美しい, repeat it a few times, then use it in a real sentence. SPAIKING lets you practice exactly that, speaking Japanese with a coach that corrects your pronunciation in real time. You can start with two free conversations.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between '美しい' and '綺麗'?

'美しい' refers to beauty in a broader sense, while '綺麗' often emphasizes cleanliness or neatness.

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