Discover lots of cute Japanese words with our guide “10 Ways to express cuteness in Japanese“. Dive into Japanese language and traditions as we explore a variety of words, from the well-known “かわいい” to hidden one like “ラブリー”. Whether you love languages, anime, or are just curious about Japanese culture, this article explores many ways to express cuteness in Japan.
- かわいい（可愛い）- Kawaii
- どきどき – Dokidoki
- 素敵（すてき） – Suteki
- あいらしい（愛らしい） – Airashii
- きらきら – Kirakira
- きれい（綺麗）- Kirei
- あまい（甘い）- Amai
- かっこかわいい – Kakkokawaii
- ラブリー – Raburi
- キュート – Kyūto
- FAQs
“Cute” is a highly culturally significant concept in Japanese, and it’s frequently expressed through a variety of words and expressions. The most widely used word for “cute” in Japanese is かわいい. This word is used to characterize anything cute, including people, fashion, and animals. Normally written in hiragana, it can also be seen as 可愛い in kanji. Although かわいい (kawaii | 可愛い) is a popular word for “cute” in Japanese, there are numerous other similar words. Here is a list of 10 ways to say “Cute” in Japanese.
1. かわいい（可愛い）- Kawaii
- Meaning: Cute, Adorable
- Romaji: Kawaii
This is the most common and versatile way to say “cute” in Japanese. It can be used for anything that you find adorable.
Example:
- あの犬はかわいいです。(Ano inu wa kawaii desu.)
- That dog is cute.
2. どきどき – Dokidoki
- Meaning: heart beating sound, excited
- Romaji: Dokidoki
In Japanese, どきどき (dokidoki) refers to a feeling of excitement or nervousness, often accompanied by a rapid heartbeat. You can use it in conjunction with cute words to convey the sensation of being excited or fluttering because something is adorable.
Example:
- 彼に会うと、どきどきします。(Kare ni au to, dokidoki shimasu.)
- I feel excited when I meet him.
3. 素敵（すてき） – Suteki
- Meaning: great; lovely; wonderful
- Romaji: Suteki
It is commonly translated as “wonderful” or “lovely,” it can also be used to express something as “cute” or “charming” depending on the context
Example:
- あなたのドレスは素敵ですね。(Anata no doresu wa suteki desu ne.)
- Your dress is lovely!
4. あいらしい（愛らしい） – Airashii
- Meaning: lovely, adorable
- Romaji: Airashi
It is often used to describe something or someone who is a heartwarming kind of cute.
Example:
- あの赤ちゃんはとても愛らしいです。(Ano akachan wa totemo airashii desu.)
- That baby is very adorable.
5. きらきら – Kirakira
- Meaning: sparkling
- Romaji: Kirakira
きらきら (kirakira) is a Japanese onomatopoeic expression used to describe something sparkling or glittering, such as stars or jewels. It can also be used to describe someone with a bright or shining personality, which can be perceived as cute.
Example:
- 星がきらきらしています。(Hoshi ga kirakira shiteimasu.)
- The stars are sparkling.
6. きれい（綺麗）- Kirei
- Meaning: beautiful, pretty, good‐looking
- Romaji: Kirei
It typically means “beautiful” or “clean” in English, but it can also refer to something that is visually appealing or attractive in a cute way. You can use this to describe someone’s cute and lovely smile (きれいな笑顔).
- Example:
- あなたの笑顔はきれいですね。(Anata no egao wa kirei desu ne.)
- Your smile is beautiful!
Discover how the word “きれい” (kirei) means “cute” or “beautiful” in Japanese with MochiKanji. This app helps you master nuanced Japanese vocabulary like “kirei” through interactive flashcards and engaging examples. Start using MochiKanji today to enrich your Japanese language skills and understand the subtle differences in expressions of cuteness and beauty!
7. あまい（甘い）- Amai
- Meaning: Sweet
- Romaji: Amai
甘い (amai) can refer to something sweet in taste. It can also mean something is sweetness or cute. Ex: Sweet voice – 甘い声 , Sweet words – 甘い言葉
Example:
- 彼女の声は甘いです。(Kanojo no koe wa amai desu.)
- Her voice is sweet.
8. かっこかわいい – Kakkokawaii
- Meaning: cool and cute
- Romaji: Kakkokawaii
It is a Japanese word that combines “cool” (kakkoii) and “cute” (kawaii). It refers to something or someone who is both cool and cute.
Example:
- その服はかっこかわいいですね。(Sono fuku wa kakkokawaii desu ne.)
- Those clothes are both cool and cute!
9. ラブリー – Raburi
- Meaning: lovely
- Romaji: Raburī
The term ラブリー (raburī), which is borrowed from English. This term describes something or someone as “lovely” or “cute. It is commonly used to describe something endearing or charming.
Example:
- このケーキはラブリーです！(Kono keeki wa raburī desu!)
- This cake is lovely!
10. キュート – Kyūto
- Meaning: Cute
- Romaji: Kyūto
The term キュート (kyūto) comes from the English word “cute,” which means “lovely.” It describes something or someone as cute, often with a modern or fashionable connotation.
Example:
- その猫はキュートですね。(Sono neko wa kyūto desu ne.)
- That cat is cute!
These 10 ways provide a glimpse into the rich tapestry of the Japanese language and culture, where the concept of cuteness is prevalent in daily life. Whether it’s a beloved pet, a heartfelt gesture, or a captivating smile, there’s always a word in Japanese to express the essence of cuteness
Tips for mastering Japanese vocabulary such as “kawaii”
Learning Japanese vocabulary, such as “kawaii” (cute), can be both fun and rewarding. Here are detailed tips to help you master these words effectively:
1. Contextual learning: Understand “kawaii” in different contexts. Try to incorporate it into sentences to grasp its nuances.
2. Use a reliable app: MochiKanji-Learn Japanese is an excellent app for mastering vocabulary. It utilizes spaced repetition to help you retain words better by reviewing them at optimal intervals.
MochiKanji takes full advantage of this technique, analyzing your learning history and informing you with automatic notifications so you can relearn Kanji and vocabulary at the optimal time. So, if you follow MochiKanji’s learning path every day at the time it prompts you, you can memorize 1,000 words and Kanji in a month.
3. Engage with media: Watch Japanese anime, dramas, and YouTube channels that frequently use the word “kawaii.” This will help you understand its practical usage and pronunciation.
4. Practice with native speakers: Join language exchange groups or find conversation partners to practice using “kawaii” and other vocabulary in real conversations.
5. Create flashcards: Use flashcards with the word, its meaning, and a picture representing it. Apps like MochiKanji can also help you create digital flashcards for more efficient learning.
6. Consistent review: Set aside time each day to review and practice your vocabulary. Regular exposure and usage are key to retention.
By following these tips and leveraging the features of MochiKanji-Learn Japanese, you’ll be able to master Japanese vocabulary like “kawaii” more effectively and enjoyably.
FAQs
What is cute in Japanese slang?
In Japanese slang, “cute” is often expressed as “kawaii” (かわいい). It’s widely used to describe anything that is adorable, charming, or attractive.
Is it kawai or kawaii?
The correct term is “kawaii” (かわいい), with the full spelling including the final “i.” The term is commonly used to describe anything cute or adorable.
What is the Japanese version of cute?
The Japanese version of “cute” is “kawaii” (かわいい), which encompasses a wide range of meanings, from physical appearance to personality traits.
What is the word for cute Japanese things?
TFor cute Japanese things, you can use “kawaii mono” (かわいいもの), which literally means “cute things.” You can also say “kawaii no koto” (かわいいのこと), which has a similar meaning. “Kawaii” culture is deeply embedded in Japanese fashion, products, and even behavior, so you’ll often hear this word describing various objects, animals, and even people.
