Translation guide
How to refer to a beautiful woman in Japanese, from casual compliments to formal descriptions.
To say that a woman is beautiful in a neutral or positive way.
The most common and neutral word for a beautiful woman. Can be used in most contexts.
彼女は美人だ。
She is a beautiful woman.
あの女優は本当に美人ですね。
That actress is really beautiful, isn't she?
Similar to 美人, but slightly more literary or formal. Often used in writing or titles.
彼は美女と結婚した。
He married a beautiful woman.
Literally 'pretty/clean woman'. きれい is a very common adjective for beauty, and 女性 is a polite word for woman.
あそこにいるきれいな女性は誰ですか？
Who is that beautiful woman over there?
美しい is a more poetic or formal word for 'beautiful'. This phrase sounds elegant but is less common in casual speech.
彼女はとても美しい女性だ。
She is a very beautiful woman.
To tell a woman she is beautiful in a natural, conversational way.
The most common way to say 'You're beautiful' or 'You look pretty'. Safe for most situations.
今日は特にきれいですね。
You look especially beautiful today.
A direct compliment meaning 'You're a beauty'. Slightly more direct than きれい, but still common.
奥さんは美人ですね。
Your wife is a beautiful woman.
Means 'cute' or 'pretty'. Often used for younger women or in a more affectionate tone. Can be less formal than きれい.
その服、かわいいですね。
That outfit is cute (on you).
To talk about a beautiful woman in a particular setting, like a party or workplace.
A slightly old-fashioned or dialectal word for a beautiful woman, often used in Kansai region. Can sound charming or dated.
あの子は別嬪やなあ。
That girl is a real beauty.
A literary term for a beautiful woman, often used in classical or poetic contexts.
彼女は当代随一の佳人と謳われた。
She was praised as the greatest beauty of her time.
美人 is the most common and neutral. 美女 is slightly more formal or literary. きれいな女性 is a descriptive phrase using the adjective きれい, which is very versatile. For direct compliments, きれいです is safer than 美人です, which can sound like you're evaluating someone's looks objectively.
Do not directly translate 'beautiful woman' as 美しい女 (utsukushii onna). While grammatically correct, it can sound blunt or objectifying. Use 美しい女性 if you need a formal tone, or 美人/きれいな人 in casual speech.