The thing with language learning, and really with any goal or desire we have in life, is that we spend a lot of time thinking about what we want and talking about [...]. Wabi-sabi 侘寂. In today's guest post, Kerstin from fluent language shares her thoughts on learning new vocabulary. Do you have any favorite beautiful Japanese words? 8 Japanese words with beautiful meanings and without direct translation. “Kogarashi” is a chilly, cold, wintry wind. It’s about accepting the transcience and imperfection of things. They want some other books. 花 means flower, petal (or cherry blossom) and 吹雪 means blizzard or snowstorm. What English word could compare? buzzfeed.com 24 Perfect Word … Hobbies. js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; The Japanese language features many beautiful sounds that come across as lyrical and lovely. It’s what moves you. And you’ll learn some untranslatable phrases that do not exist in English! * And you, suddenly grow very, very quiet, turn off the lights and hope they go away. So, it literally represents items that are forgotten and list. Equinox. 甘美な (kanbina) is a sound that’s sweet to the ear, or “luscious.” They’re seen as party poopers that won’t have any fun. (Likewise, Santa is different too, depending on where you live). Say it with me – murasaki! 8. You know what a wasp is. They take it for a nap. No deep profound meaning. Thanks! My particular hearing loss makes it difficult to hear consonants, especially s, h, and f. When it comes to the winter holidays, food traditions are an important part the celebrations in countries around the world, even if the foods are different from country to country. Supine. This is sort of like love at first sight but not really. However, this can also have a negative connotation; “stuff only old people like.”. How is the word used? Unfortunately, when I was 4, nobody could understand me babbling away in my version of English, except for my mum and my brother. The second is tongue. THIS is how I learn a language in 3 months. And your cook as well. So, this is when you eat when you’re not hungry but because you have nothing better to do. While passing them by on the street! Why did it make the list of beautiful Japanese words? Well, know how cats decide to whack items off tables and look at you like they’ve done nothing wrong? Just like there’s a “cherry blossom viewing,” there’s also a moon viewing. PRODUCTS • ABOUT BENNY • MEET BENNY • CONTACT • SPEAK IN A WEEK • LANGUAGE HACKING BOOKS • PRIVACY POLICY, Caitlin is a content creator, fitness trainer, zero waster, language lover, and Star Wars nerd. The first character means “crimson” or “red” and the second one means “leaves.” But, in general, this term is known as the changing of colors of leaves in Autumn. Click here to visit them and get more lessons. You know that 木 stands for tree, 漏れ/もれ means leakage and the 日 kanji stands for the sun. And thus, for the time we have left, seeing beauty in the things around us. 8) Red-banded sand wasp. I am, however, severely deaf and partially sighted. Hi I really liked wabi Sabi, I was wondering if there was any Japanese quote encompassing it? This is the spirit of hospitality and friendliness to strangers. And this refers to being immersed in a forest or talking a walk through the woods. I was sent to speech therapy for intensive work before I started primary school, and I remember working on all those weird sounds especially “spoon”. It’s not a sappy, head-over-heels, heart-pounding, butterflies-in-stomach “love.” It’s a sense you get when first meeting a person – that it’s INEVITABLE that you are going to be in love in the future. You will learn how to say basic Japanese greetings. by Dan Dalton. It implies the importance to of avoiding conflict – so as to maintain the (Wa) harmony. BuzzFeed Staff 1. Here are a few. This makes the object more beautiful and unique than it was before. However, the Japanese word here is totally different. The kanji a parent picks out to make their child’s name has a lot of significance. And studies confirm that this indeed lowers blood pressure and cortisol. You know, the kind that sends the shivers down your spine and gives you goosebumps. Now, they know what a wasp is. Usually in September or October when there’s a full moon. That kind of hospitality! January 19, 2018. Tsundoku is a combination of the verb 積む (tsumu – to pile up), and 読 (doku – reading.). Or, it can be the gleam of light on the river during dusk. Bei uns findest du alle bedeutenden Unterschiede und das Team hat alle Beautiful japanese words näher betrachtet. For over a decade I travelled around the world, and whenever [...]. If you’re feeling nostalgic, you may be stuck 空想 (kuusou), or “daydreaming” about the past. Language is one of the many fascinating creations of mankind. “Hey girl, Can I see you tomorrow?” “Well, it’s a bimyou…”. Source - learn them all here - https://www.linguajunkie.com/japanese/beautiful-japanese-words Well, you do what swords are designed to do. Taking care of kids. These 12 beautiful Japanese words you have to know, for me, sum up how incredible the language is. 13. This word also goes back to the Buddhist concept of being respectful to all things. ONISM {English} (n.) the awareness of how little of the world you’ll experience. Corrections? My name is Kerstin and I’m a dictionary fiend. Here’s the thing though – normal Japanese people won’t know this word. It’s a beginner friendly lesson. How do you say good in Japanese? Where do the snake and legs come from? So, if you can’t handle that, you’re said to have a cat’s tongue. Now you now the top 50 beautiful Japanese words. You’re wondering – how in the WORLD did a wasp land on the list of beautiful Japanese words. }(document, "script", "aweber-wjs-l0tojwefu")); Disclosure: This site has affiliate links to language products including those on Amazon. And as such, when you’ll learn another language, you’ll come across beautiful Japanese words and phrases that are… unique. You know how you add too many shows and movies to your Netflix queue without watching? But, this carries a lot more meaning and emotion to the Japanese. No contacts. Or a translation perfectly imperfect, was wanting to get something of this nature as a tattoo. Bed? Apparently, I was bad. Back in the old, old days– say around the year 1400 – this color was the color of the upper class and only high level officials and Imperial family could wear it. But red-banded sand wasp? People use it as “I can’t do anything about it. If you’re thinking that this has to be a samurai sword word, you’re right. Literally, this means 高嶺/high peak and 花/flower. 美学 (びがく) — A love for beautiful things. What is the Japanese word for excellent? What makes one word more beautiful than another? To settle your mind, this word is not translatable and has no English equivalent… so if you’re confused, it’s okay. It’s a parting greeting but is also used to acknowledge that “you have worked hard.”. 懐かしさ (natsukashisa) is a beautiful Japanese word that means “nostalgia”. So with kintsugi, the big point is… you can take something imperfect or broken, and make it EVEN more beautiful than ever. Goals. Learning Japanese and want to learn some beautiful Japanese words in the process? Or buy too many vegetables that you never eat? Any phrases that I missed or that you want me to add to the list? This means “feigned innocence or naivete.” In other words, the person is pretending to be dumb and innocent, like a wolf in sheep’s clothing. EUNOIA {English} (n.) beautiful thinking; a well mind. It can be used to talk about “subtlety” like a subtle change or “eh” if you want to comment on something’s quality. You can see examples of this when store staff bow to you upon entry. So this refers to the “bittersweetness of fading beauty” – the acknowledged but appreciated, sad transience of things. 16. It feels powerful! So, this color is a pretty big deal and a pretty beautiful Japanese word, in my opinion. So, that meeting you had with a friend or someone… that EXACT moment and everything that happened will never, ever happen again in this life. Though technically this is three words in Japanese, ‘Mono no aware’ shows an appreciation for things that quickly pass or are soon lost. Literally, this means “mouth lonely.” And this is in regards to food. Those that have delivered it to the city. So, anything – feelings, scents, images – that bring memories, thoughts or anticipation of a particular season. It’s not until later that it become continuous improvement by the Japanese business world. var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; Successful Learning: How To Self Study Japanese Alone. Treasure every encounter, for it will never recur, https://www.linguajunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/3MJ_L2_072417_jpod101.mp3. Usually, it’s translated as “one chance in a lifetime.” But the BEST translation is: Treasure every encounter, for it will never recur. if (d.getElementById(id)) return; What other beautiful Japanese words do you know? Now, this isn’t a recent term and you won’t hear it much. 10. Simply because of how it sounds to the ear. “Wasure” means “forget” and “mono” means thing. But, as with all beautiful Japanese words, this one has more nuance to it. Check out my other posts: What is the word for something coming in and out of view from clouds? Wabi-sabi means imperfect or incomplete beauty. Sound vague and odd? I marked if they were female (f), male (m), or neutral (n). And because it’s one, it carries a stronger image of autumn, fallen leaves and the atmosphere. It carries a sense of selflessness obligation to the customer without expecting anything in return. Literally, it means change for better. JIGA. This is actually a Japanese proverb; a Zen Buddhist one. The Japanese Ministry of Health designates this word for anyone that hasn’t left their home in over 6 months. Any book lover knows this. Press the play button below. Both, a flower in the mirror and a moon’s reflection on water can’t be touched. Literally, it means – one time, one meeting. No friends. Also, since you clearly want to learn Japanese…. So many names have lovely meanings! Also known as kintsukuroi. The first one means cat. And wishing you 平和 heiwa (“peace”). No deep profound meaning. There’s more. In a single untranslatable Japanese word, ‘Komorebi’ illustrates a beautiful forest with sunlight peeking through the leaves of the trees. This word is used to describe you when you flake out on the person at your doorstep. Bimyou is quite a versatile word. There are many uses. Unless we’re all bug experts (I’m not), you can’t expect anyone to know. Daniel Dalton ... 28 Beautiful Words The English Language Should Steal. They ring the doorbell. It literally does mean “浮 – float” and “世 – world/society.” Although it can also be interpreted as “transient world” or “fleeting life.” Basically, this word was used to describe Japanese life-style in Edo-period Japan, where normal people escaped the pressures of the samurai state to entertainment/pleasure districts (whether theater, tea-houses, etc.). Why is it on my list of beautiful Japanese words? The first character, 蛇, represents snake and the second one, 足, is legs. So, now, it’s just a word (used by businesses) to describe the process of “always improving” and getting better. So this Japanese phrase refers to something that’s visible but can’t be touched. In other words, it’s “eh” or not so good. So, this color is a pretty big deal and a pretty beautiful Japanese word, in my opinion. She blogs about fitness and sustainability at, Let me ask you a question: If you really wanted to learn a new language, what would you be doing right now to make that happen? Knowing your ikigai might require a lot of introspection and search. Or watch some incredible Japanese movies that will give you 懐かしい (natsukashii) vibes. The Japanese say this phrase before they eat. If you’re a person who prefers unadorned or understated designs, then you may have a shibui sense of style. fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs); Now, let’s break it down: This word comes from ぼけとする/boketosuru – to daydream. Toyota kicked it off. 17. わびさび Wabi-sabi "Wabi-sabi" refers to a way of living that focuses on finding beauty within the imperfections of life and peacefully accepting the natural cycle of growth and decay. Verschieben wir also unseren Blick darauf, was andere Personen zu dem Mittel zu erzählen haben. It means pity, sorrow or grief. *Ding-dong. Jama means disturbance. I’ve listed my favorites in this blog post and I share the meanings too. Beautiful Japanese Words Kwansei Gakuin Senior High School Language Learning Listen on Apple Podcasts. It’s used in daily life. Kind of like when you smell that crisp/burning-like scent in the air, long before snow starts falling, and you know winter is coming. The Japanese love their seasons so there are different foods, different fruit (that are grown) products and decorations for different seasons. This is the art of repairing pottery with gold or silver and making something broken beautiful – usually pottery. Interestingly, this word sounds like “break.” And indeed, it is a break. Careful thoughtfulness, eh? Nefarious. This is a very common and a very Japanese expression. First, the English word “back.” Second, the German word, “schön,” which means beautiful. What it TRULY means is a “goal that’s unattainable.” Something beyond your reach, like a flower! What is the Japanese word for angel of darkness? For others, [...]. While we have no proof that cats hate hot/warm food, that’s the way the phrase goes. Well, in English, it takes 2 words to express it. 15. People don’t normally blurt out “oh, how nostalgic” in English, because no-one likes nostalgia. One thing to know about making words “cool” in Japanese: Almost any word can be made cooler or more slangy by combining or shortening it. Check out this audio lesson below. I mean, who doesn’t want to receive food? Butterflies are quite cute, but the Japanese word for “butterfly” is even cuter. This word is a noun and literally means “pretending to be out.”. Definitely one of the more “fun” beautiful Japanese words here. Where the literal meaning doesn’t match […]. And a sword? Here’s a sexy example –  if it moves you, you can say you felt “yugen” or that it’s “mono no aware.”. Start Speaking New Languages in minutes: Easy Lessons & Proven Resources. Whether you’re looking to learn how to speak Japanese or are simply interested in learning about lovely-sounding words in a language other than your own, you’re sure to enjoy some truly beautiful Japanese words. They have books they want to read. Learning Japanese. This lesson is from JapanesePod101, which is an online Japanese learning program. You’ll often hear Japanese people say it to themselves before they start work. It was one of a kind and hence it’s worth treasuring. Untranslatable. Or, when restaurant staff cheerfully yell “welcome.” It’s even as subtle as a toothpick automatically provided inside your pair of chopsticks. Well, don’t worry. When sunlight filters through the tree leaves and produces rays. It’s what gets you up in the morning. It gives off the vibes that “nothing’s ever broken beyond repair” and “there’s beauty in imperfection.”. But most of the time, it refers to a profound awareness of the nature of the universe – the oneness of all things – to the point where it affects you emotionally. When is it used? Japan has just the word. So, tsuji means street or crossroad and the second part, kiri, is to slice or kill. This is a central concept in Japanese aesthetics, which comes from Buddhist teachings on the transient nature of life. It’s a sign of respect for the person you are visiting and their home. Define bishounen. 蝶蝶 is pronounced “chō chō” or just “chō” for short. The Japanese have a word for this, except with books. Yes, the color purple. What Makes a Japanese Word Beautiful? Momiji. My parents realised that I had a hearing problem when I was 2 years old, though I didn't get my first hearing aid until I was 4. What is the Japanese word for together? Some things are not worth thinking too much about! This phrase is often used to describe the short Cherry … 20. When one buys a new car, they take it for a drive. Japanese has some really cool words and phrases, Japanese culture and all the things you need to know about Japan. So you'd like to see my Fluent in 3 Months language missions? You might indulge in mince pies, or perhaps ham is more your style. So, 森林/shinrin means forest and 浴/yoku stands for bathing. Yugen (YOO-gen) The concept of yugen says that beauty is not just about the seen, but the unseen. 18. Lastly, 金次 (kintsugi), which means “golden repair.” It’s another trend from Japan that’s become popular recently, and for good reason. It also comes from the verb  倒れる (daoreru) which means to go bankrupt. Beautiful Japanese words aside, it’s quite an issue in Japan. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases at no cost to you. If you want to dive deeper into the language, read up on Japanese culture and all the things you need to know about Japan. This is a word used to describe someone that’s a recluse and stays in. For the Japanese, it’s something that brings back memories and warms the heart. It lets you know of the arrival of winter. So, beautiful from the back. I give up.” So, it’s used when things are out of your control (and sometimes when you just don’t want to try hard.). I couldn't even pronounce my own name (it sounded like Ooee Fehuhoh). As the Japanese say, everyone has an ikigai. It’s nice sounding word and hence made it on the list! Anywhere else, if you call someone diligent, hardworking and dedicated to a goal, there’s a negative flipside to it. It applies to foodies and people that love going out to eat. Thanks for reading! It also includes thanks and gratefulness to everyone who was responsible in making the food. This word is a “kakegoe” or a word or saying of encouragement to yourself or others. See more ideas about Beautiful japanese words, Japanese words, Japanese. This word represents a situation where you can speak freely, act freely and most importantly, enjoy yourself without worrying about your social status, relation to others, pressure or authority. It’s nice not to think sometimes. Okay, fine. It’s supposed to imbue some of those positive traits to the child. It’s seen as negative. Okay, fine. Here we present the words chosen by two young men, Masato Tamaki and Yuki Yokogaichi. The Japanese language is full of beautiful, captivating words, and this list is just the tip of the iceberg. […] looking at things. Here are a few factors that turn a Japanese word from a tool for communication into a work of art: The way it rolls off the tongue. 19. Boke, interestingly enough, also means fool. This would be a hard concept to accept for people that like new, shiny and perfect things. Or, stop reading articles and check my recommended Japanese learning program below. Japanese words for beautiful include 美しい, ビューティフル, すばらしい, 素敵, 見事, 良い, 麗しい, 秀麗, ハンサム and シャン. While this first and foremost is used to express regret over waste – like food, there are other uses too. "Kintsukuroi" is the art of repairing pottery with gold or silver joining the pieces and understanding that the piece is more beautiful for having been broken. Bitter Sweetness of Fading Beauty. For instance, おしゃかわ ( oshakawa , “stylish and cool”) combines the words おしゃれ ( oshare , “stylish” or “fashionably cool”) and かわいい ( kawaii , “cute”). This is an example of wabisabi where something imperfect is still beautiful! No sexy message that will send shivers down your spine. Okay, there’s more. I think it’s a pretty nice sounding word. I’d love to hear them. Something you can feel (for example, beauty or an emotion) but can’t describe in words. Otsukare is often used at the end of the day to others, like coworkers, team players or students where both of you literally worked hard. And with the overwhelm, they don’t get around to any and let them pile up. Here’s another one of my favorite beautiful Japanese words. This word means peace or harmony. So, tree leakage (of the) sun. No sexy message that will send shivers down your spine. Many Japanese names are beautiful, too! 7. Let’s break the phrase apart. What makes your life worthwhile. js.src = "//forms.aweber.com/form/14/1245669914.js"; Given this word’s vagueness, it’s also used as a way to say no or be vague about things. Or, you can use it to say you are “mottainai” in the event that someone is too good for you. Pick apart the characters and this just means “crimson” and “leaves.” However, say this word out loud. 蝶蝶 or 蝶々 (ちょうちょう) — Butterfly. Politeness and maintaining harmony is important in Japan. Here, 川/kawa means river and 明かり/akari means light. If you pick apart the words, it means “to put on a cat.” Why cat? Learning new words and figuring out how they’re related to other languages is one of my favourite parts of language learning. Let’s break this word in half. This is another fall-themed word. Leave them for me in the comments! Posted on December 3, 2018 December 3, 2018 by toughcookie. It’s something to do to relax, reduce your stress and improve your health. If you were a samurai back in the day, where else would you find another person? Thank you. 幽玄 (yuugen) means “mysterious” but all ties into the concept of meditation and reflecting on the mysterious beauty of the universe. 金次 is the art of repairing broken things, like pottery or dishes, by piecing it back together and sealing it with gold lacquer. Farmers growing the veggies. They do know the burden of suffering, and they want to do something for the people who are suffering in the Tohoku area that was struck by the earthquake and the Tsunami. But this is a quick, easy lesson for Beginners that want to start slowly. It can be the reflection of the moonlight on the river. This word goes above just hospitality. Sofern Sie Beautiful japanese words nicht ausprobieren, sind Sie wohl bislang nicht in der Verfassung, um Ihren Sorgen etwas entgegenzusetzen. This happens at Japanese company drink-outings where the workers and their bosses get drunk and honest with each other. You've come to the right place! I’ll admit, this might be my favorite of the beautiful Japanese words here. English has its own set of words that are just pleasant to say. It’s probably why I’m writing this at 3:17AM on a Saturday morning! You can feel nostalgic with the adjective form, 懐かしい (natsukashii). I remember the first time diving into the language of Japanese, I was smitten with the way the language could describe something. So, I'm Julie Ferguson and I have nothing on Helen Keller! And it refers to Japan and the Japanese way itself. In Japan, “Majime” carries positive meaning. 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