Japanese, explained

What does 「かわいい」(kawaii) mean?

By Mariano Matayoshi · building Wakatta, still learning Japanese

可愛かわいいkawaii

“Cute,” “adorable,” “lovable.” かわいい describes anything endearing — people, animals, clothes, characters. It’s usually written in kana, though the kanji is 可愛い.

kawaii isn’t “beautiful”

かわいい means charming and endearing — not the same as 綺麗 (kirei), which is “pretty / beautiful / clean,” or 美しい (utsukushii), “beautiful” in a grander sense. A puppy is かわいい; a sunset is 綺麗. Mixing them up is a classic beginner slip.

Examples

この犬、かわいい！: Kono inu, kawaii! — This dog is so cute!
かわいい服だね。: Kawaii fuku da ne. — Cute clothes, huh.

How people really say it

超かわいい！: chō kawaii! — Super cute! (超 = “super”).
かわいすぎ。: kawaisugi. — Too cute. / Cuteness overload.

Synonyms & related

可愛らしい — adorable / dainty
愛らしい — charming, endearing
キュート — cute (loanword)

More Japanese words explained Next: what “ganbatte” means

Hear かわいい in real Japanese

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