Japanese beautiful words

Japanese is a language filled with depth, emotion, and subtle beauty. The beauty of the Kanji characters also color the Japanese language. I post a lot of Kanji on my Japanese-teaching Instagram, and thankfully my followers all around the world always admire their beauty.

I have collected some of the most beautiful words in Japanese.

These are Japanese calligraphy drawn by me.

愛 (あい /a i/)

Meaning: Love

"愛(あい) /a i/" represents love in a broad sense—romantic, familial, and even compassionate love toward all living beings. In Japanese culture, "愛(あい) /a i/" isn’t always expressed directly but is often shown through actions and care.

When I posted this Kanji on social media before, someone said that "愛(あい) /a i/" looks complicated, and that is because love is complicated. I thought that was a good point of view.

一期一会 (いちごいちえ /ichigo ichie/)

Meaning: Once-in-a-lifetime encounter

一期一会 (いちごいちえ /ichigo ichie/) is a reminder to cherish each moment and meeting as something unique and unrepeatable. I posted this word before on social networking sites, and many people said they like this word best in Japanese.

夢 (ゆめ /yume/)

Meaning: Dream

"夢 (ゆめ /yume/)" refers to both the dreams we experience while sleeping and the aspirations we hold in our hearts. This Kanji also has a beautiful shape.

花鳥風月(かちょうふうげつ /kachou fuu getsu/)

Meaning: the beauty of nature

"花鳥風月(かちょうふうげつ /kachou fuu getsu/)" expresses the beauty of nature and the emotions it evokes.

Each character represents an element of the natural world — 花 /ka/ flowers, 鳥 /chou/ birds, 風 /fuu/ wind, and the 月 /getsu/ moon — but together, they convey a much deeper meaning about appreciating the beauty of nature and the world around us.

美(び /bi/)

Meaning: beauty

The Japanese kanji "美(び /bi/ noun)" means "beauty" in English. It describes things that are visually pleasing or harmonious, like nature, art, or a person’s appearance. It is also used in words like "美しい(うつくしい /utsukushii/ adjective)", meaning "beautiful."

礼 (れい /rei/)

Meaning: Respect, courtesy

"礼 (れい /rei/)" is deeply ingrained in Japanese culture and is often associated with manners, humility, and respect for others. The practice of bowing, saying "thank you" (arigatou), and treating others with care all stem from this concept.

木漏れ日 (こもれび /komorebi/)

Meaning: Sunlight filtering through trees

"木漏れ日 (こもれび /komorebi/)" expresses the delicate, fleeting moment when light dances through the leaves, creating a natural mosaic of light and shadow. It's a poetic reflection of Japan's deep appreciation for nature and transient beauty.

花火 (はなび /hanabi/)

Meaning: Fireworks (literally, "flower fire")

花 (はな /hana/) means flower and 火 (び /bi/) means fire. The Kanji combination speaks of the beauty of fireworks.

侘寂 (わびさび /wabi sabi/)

Meaning: The beauty of imperfection and transience

Rooted in Japanese aesthetics, "侘寂 (わびさび /wabi sabi/)" is a philosophy that finds beauty in the incomplete, impermanent, and imperfect. It's an appreciation of the natural aging process and a reminder to embrace simplicity and the passage of time.

心 (こころ /kokoro/)

Meaning: Heart, mind, or spirit

In Japanese, "心 (こころ /kokoro/)" doesn’t just refer to the physical heart or mind, but to the whole inner essence of a person. It's often used to express deep feelings of empathy, compassion, and connection.

夕焼け (ゆうやけ /yuu yake/)

Meaning: Sunset glow

"夕焼け (ゆうやけ /yuu yake/)" captures the ethereal beauty of the sky at dusk, with its fading orange and pink hues. It's a word filled with a sense of calm and reflection as the day transitions into night.

儚い (はかない /hakanai/)

Meaning: Fleeting, ephemeral

"儚い (はかない /hakanai/)" refers to something that is short-lived or delicate, much like cherry blossoms that bloom beautifully but fall soon after. It reflects the Japanese aesthetic of appreciating moments of beauty that don’t last.

縁 (えん /en/)

Meaning: Connection, fate, or destiny

"縁 (えん /en/)" expresses the invisible ties that bring people together, whether through fate, chance, or shared experiences. It's a word that highlights the importance of human relationships and the serendipity that life often brings.

蛍 (ほたる /hotaru/)

Meaning: Firefly

Fireflies are often seen as symbols of fleeting beauty and the delicate, transient nature of life. The soft glow of "蛍 (ほたる /hotaru/)" evokes feelings of nostalgia, wonder, and a gentle connection with the night.

I would be happy if you could learn these words and feel the beauty of the Japanese language more.

Do you have a favorite Japanese word that resonates with you? Let me know in the comments!