Translation guide
The English word "pretty" has several distinct uses. It can describe attractive appearance, act as an adverb meaning "fairly" or "quite", and appear in fixed phrases. This guide breaks down these meanings and gives natural Japanese equivalents.
Describing someone or something as visually pleasing, cute, or beautiful.
The most common word for 'cute' or 'pretty', used for people, animals, clothes, etc. Often implies smallness and charm.
そのドレス、かわいいね。
That dress is pretty.
彼女はかわいい笑顔をしている。
She has a pretty smile.
Means 'pretty', 'clean', or 'beautiful'. Used for people, scenery, and objects. More elegant than かわいい.
A more formal or literary word for 'beautiful'. Can sound too strong for casual 'pretty'.
Loanword from English, used in fashion or product names. Not common in everyday speech.
Expressing a moderate degree; 'to a fairly high degree'.
Means 'quite' or 'pretty' as an adverb. Used before adjectives and verbs.
Meaning 'almost' or 'nearly'.
A pleading way to ask for something, often used by children.
Being in a favorable or advantageous position.
Literal translation: 'to be in an advantageous position'. Natural equivalent.
かわいい is 'cute/pretty' with a sense of smallness and affection. きれい is 'pretty/clean/beautiful' and more elegant. 美しい is formal/literary 'beautiful' and can be too strong for casual 'pretty'.
Those are pretty flowers.
彼女はきれいになった。
She's become pretty.
美しい景色ですね。
What a pretty view.
プリティーなデザインのバッグ。
A bag with a pretty design.
It's pretty hot today.
彼はかなり上手に日本語を話す。
He speaks Japanese pretty well.
Also means 'quite' or 'pretty'. Slightly more casual than かなり. Often used in speech.
この映画、結構面白かったよ。
This movie was pretty interesting.
結構遠いね。
It's pretty far, isn't it.
Means 'so-so' or 'fairly'. Weaker than かなり/結構. Often used for moderate approval.
味はまあまあだった。
The taste was pretty good (okay).
Standard word for 'almost' or 'pretty much'. Used with verbs and nouns.
仕事はほとんど終わった。
I'm pretty much done with work.
ほとんど同じだ。
It's pretty much the same.
Means 'roughly' or 'pretty much'. More casual.
だいたい分かった。
I pretty much understand.
The standard way to say 'please'. Adding emphasis or repetition can mimic 'pretty please'.
お願い、お願い！
Pretty please!
お願いだから、教えて。
Pretty please, tell me.
Polite version. Can be used with a pleading tone.
お願いします、そこをどいてください。
Pretty please, move out of the way.
He got promoted and is now sitting pretty.
Means 'secure' or 'safe'. Can be used for financial or positional security.
投資が成功して、彼は安泰だ。
His investments paid off, so he's sitting pretty.
美しい夕日だった。
It was a beautiful sunset.
While かわいい is very common, using it for adult men or formal situations can be inappropriate. Use きれい or other terms depending on context.