Translation guide
The English word "attractive" can describe physical appeal, appealing qualities of things, or the appeal of ideas and offers. Japanese uses different words depending on what is being described and the nuance.
Describing a person's physical appearance as appealing, beautiful, or handsome.
A versatile adjective meaning 'charming' or 'attractive'. Can be used for people, personalities, or things. Safe and natural in most contexts.
彼女はとても魅力的だ。
She is very attractive.
Noun meaning 'beautiful woman'. Commonly used, but only for women. Can sound a bit direct.
彼の奥さんは美人だ。
His wife is attractive.
Loanword meaning 'handsome'. Used almost exclusively for men.
彼はハンサムな俳優だ。
He is a handsome actor.
Casual adjective meaning 'cool' or 'good-looking'. Often used for men, but can be used for women with a stylish/tomboyish nuance. Very common in spoken Japanese.
あの人はかっこいいね。
That person is attractive, isn't he?
Means 'cute'. Can imply attractiveness, but with a cute/pretty nuance rather than sexy or handsome. Used for women, children, and sometimes men (in a 'pretty boy' sense).
彼女は可愛くて魅力的だ。
She is cute and attractive.
Describing something non-human as having appeal, such as a job offer, a city, or a design.
The same word as above, but used for non-human things. Very common and natural.
この提案はとても魅力的だ。
This proposal is very attractive.
京都は魅力的な街です。
Kyoto is an attractive city.
Verb meaning 'to captivate' or 'to fascinate'. Used when something has a strong, enchanting appeal.
その景色は訪れる人を魅了する。
The scenery captivates visitors.
Casual verb meaning 'to tempt' or 'to arouse interest'. Often used for food or curiosity. '食欲をそそる' = 'appetizing'.
Describing someone as sexually appealing.
Direct loanword meaning 'sexy'. Commonly used and understood.
彼女はとてもセクシーだ。
She is very attractive/sexy.
Adjective meaning 'sexy' or 'sensual'. Has a more traditional Japanese nuance than セクシー.
The English word 'attractive' is often translated as 魅力的 (miryokuteki), but using it too broadly can sound unnatural. For example, 'an attractive price' is not 魅力的な価格 but rather お得な価格 (otoku na kakaku) or 手頃な価格 (tegoro na kakaku). Always consider the specific nuance.
魅力的 (miryokuteki) is a general adjective for 'charming/attractive' and can be used for people, personalities, or things. 美人 (bijin) is a noun meaning 'beautiful woman' and is only for women. ハンサム (hansamu) is a noun/adjective for 'handsome' and is almost exclusively for men.
This advertisement is attractive (it tempts you to buy).
あの女優は色っぽい。
That actress is attractive/sexy.