Translation guide
Describing a person's body as slim and graceful. Japanese has several words for a slender figure, each with different nuances, from positive elegance to neutral thinness.
To compliment someone's slim, elegant physique, often with a sense of beauty.
A loanword from English 'slender', commonly used in fashion and casual conversation to describe a slim, attractive figure. Often used for women.
彼女はスレンダーな体型だ。
She has a slender figure.
An adverb/noun meaning slim and graceful, often with a positive connotation. Can describe body parts or overall figure.
彼女はほっそりとした指をしている。
She has slender fingers.
ほっそりした体型に憧れる。
I admire a slender figure.
An adverb describing a tall, slim, and well-proportioned figure, often used for legs or overall stature. Implies elegance.
すらりと伸びた脚が美しい。
Her slender, long legs are beautiful.
Loanword from English 'slim', used similarly to describe a thin, attractive body. Common in advertising and casual speech.
スリムな体を維持するのは大変だ。
It's hard to maintain a slim figure.
To describe a thin, possibly fragile-looking body without strong positive or negative judgment.
A noun meaning slim build or slender figure. Neutral and commonly used for both people and objects (e.g., slim-fit clothing).
彼は細身で背が高い。
He is slender and tall.
細身のジーンズを探している。
I'm looking for slim-fit jeans.
Literally 'thin type', used to describe a slender body type, often in medical or descriptive contexts. Can be neutral or slightly negative if implying underweight.
To emphasize a slim, flexible, and graceful body, often with a poetic or aesthetic nuance.
A na-adjective meaning supple, flexible, and slender. Often used for limbs or movements, implying grace and elegance.
彼女のしなやかな腕が印象的だった。
Her slender, supple arms were impressive.
Literally 'willow waist', a poetic term for a slender, flexible waist, often used in literature or traditional descriptions of beauty.
To describe a tall, slim figure reminiscent of a fashion model.
Literally 'model figure', used to describe a tall, slender body like a fashion model. Common in everyday conversation.
彼女はモデル体型で、何を着ても似合う。
She has a model-like slender figure and looks good in anything.
スレンダー is a fashionable loanword often used for women with a positive, attractive nuance. ほっそり is a native Japanese word that feels soft and graceful, suitable for describing delicate features. 細身 is neutral and can be used for both men and women, as well as objects like clothing.
スレンダーなドレスが似合う。
A slender dress suits her.
ほっそりした首にネックレスが映える。
A necklace looks good on her slender neck.
細身のスーツを着こなしている。
He wears a slim-fit suit well.
Direct translations like '細い姿' (hosoi sugata) are unnatural. Use the words above depending on the nuance you want to convey.
Since she has a slender figure, it's easy to choose clothes.
彼女は柳腰で、歩く姿が美しい。
She has a slender waist and walks gracefully.