Utsukushii vs. kireina: which to use to say “beautiful” in Japanese?

How to say “beautiful” in Japanese

Native speakers say “utsukushii” or “kireina” to mean ‘beautiful’ in Japanese. Probably, some Japanese learners know these two words as they are sometimes used in Japanese textbooks. In this blog post, however, I will explain them in detail with their differences. And also, I will explain how to use them through example sentences. My explanations would help Japanese learners to understand how to say “beautiful” in Japanese more clearly. Then, let’s get started!

Contents

• Definition and meaning of “utsukushii”
  • Example #1: how to say “beautiful” in Japanese
• Definition and meanings of “kireina”
  • Example #2: how to use “kireina”
• Definition and meanings of “kirei”
  • Example #3: how to use “kirei”
• Summary: utsukushii vs. kireina vs. kirei

Definition and meaning of “utsukushii”

Let me start with the definition and meaning of “utsukushii”.

• utsukushii – 美しい (うつくしい) : an i-adjective meaning ‘beautiful’ in Japanese.

Native speakers use this i-adjecitve to describe something beautiful in Japanese. Let me explain this usage through the example sentence below.

Example #1: how to say “beautiful” in Japanese

Below are the new words used in the example sentence.

• nihon – 日本 (にほん) : a noun meaning ‘Japan’ in Japanese.
• wa – は : a binding particle working as a case marker or topic marker. In the example, this works after “nihon” to make the subject in the sentence.

This is a typical usage of “utsukushii”. In this example, it works as a complement. Like other adjectives, however, it can also work as a modifier in front of a noun. For example, we can say “utsukushii nihon” to mean ‘beautiful Japan’ in Japanese. So, its usages are very similar to those of the English adjective, “beautiful”, I think. However, this sounds a bit exaggerated in speaking. In daily conversations, therefore, native speakers use “kireina” more often. Next, let me explain it in detail.

Definition and meanings of “kireina”

Below are the definition and meanings of “kireina”.

• kireina – 綺麗な (きれいな) : a na-adjective meaning ‘beautiful’, ‘clean’, or ‘neat’ in Japanese.

“Kireina” can cover a wider range than “utsukushii”. Actually, native speakers sometimes use this na-adjective to mean ‘clean’ or ‘neat’ in Japanese. Of course, its very basic role is to mean ‘beautiful’ in Japanese. Let me explain this role through the example sentence below.

Example #2: how to use “kireina”

Below are the new words used in the example sentence.

• totemo – とても : an adverb of degree meaning ‘very’, ‘much’, ‘so’, or such in Japanese. In the example, this works before “kireina” to emphasize its meaning.
• kuni – 国 (くに) : a noun meaning ‘country’ in Japanese. This can also work as plural. Learn more about Japanese plural.
• desu – です : an auxiliary verb used after a noun or adjective to make it polite. Probably, this is well known as a part of Japanese desu form. In the example, this is used after “kireina kuni” to make it sound polite.

This is a typical usage of “kireina”. In this example, it precedes the noun, “kuni”, to mean a ‘beautiful country’ in Japanese.

Unlike “utsukushii”, “kireina” works only in front of a noun. It is just a modifier; it cannot become a complement in a sentence. This is the very big difference between these two adjectives. When we want to use “kireina” as a complement, we need to discard its conjugative suffix and pick the stem part, “kirei”. Let me explain this stem part as follows.

Definition and meanings of “kirei”

Below are the definition and meanings of “kirei”.

• kirei – 綺麗 (きれい) : the stem part of the na-adjective, “kireina”, which means ‘beautiful’, ‘clean’, or ‘neat’ in Japanese.

This stem part can work as a complement in a sentence. In fact, native speakers often use this to say “beautiful” especially in conversations. They don’t need the combination of a modifier and a noun there, but just want one complement which can mean ‘beautiful’. Let me explain this usage through the example sentence below.

Example #3: how to use “kirei”

This is a typical usage of “kirei”. It works as a complement. Again, but “kireina” cannot become a complement in a sentence. So, we cannot say “nihon ha kireina desu” instead. We need to use its stem part only. On the other hand, “utsukushii” can work as both a modifier and a complement. However it sounds a bit exaggerated and therefore is not suitable for daily conversations. This means that we need to learn how to use “kireina” and “kirei” properly.

Summary: utsukushii vs. kireina vs. kirei

In this blog post, I’ve explained the definitions and meanings of “utsukushii”, “kireina”, and additionally “kirei”. And also, I’ve explained how to use them through the example sentences. Let me summarize them as follows.

• utsukushii – 美しい (うつくしい) : an i-adjective meaning ‘beautiful’ in Japanese. This can work as both a modifier and a complement. This sounds a bit exaggerated and therefore is not suitable for daily conversations.
• kireina – 綺麗な (きれいな) : a na-adjective meaning ‘beautiful’, ‘clean’, or ‘neat’ in Japanese. This works only in front of a noun. This is just a modifier; this cannot become a complement in a sentence.
• kirei – 綺麗 (きれい) : the stem part of the na-adjective, “kireina”, which means ‘beautiful’, ‘clean’, or ‘neat’ in Japanese. This can become a complement in a sentence.

Below are the differences:

• Their grammatical definitions are different. “Utsukushii” is an i-adjective; “kireina” is a na-adjective; “kirei” is the stem part of the na-adjective.
• “Utsukushii” means ‘beautiful’ in Japanese; “kireina” and “kirei” can additionally mean ‘clean’ or ‘neat’ depending on the situation.
• “Utsukushii” can work as both a modifier and a complement; “kireina” works only as a modifier; “kirei” works only as a complement.

Hope my explanations are understandable and helpful for Japanese learners.