綺き羅ら

き

ら

Freq.FrequencyTop 20,000

Meanings

Refers to beautiful, splendid clothing; often used in literary or poetic contexts. The word is somewhat rare on its own and is most commonly encountered in the compound 綺羅星 (きらぼし), meaning 'glittering stars' or 'galaxy of stars', metaphorically describing a gathering of brilliant people.

綺き羅らをまとった貴き族ぞくたちが宮きゅう殿でんに集あつまった。
Nobles dressed in fine clothes gathered at the palace.
「綺き羅ら星ぼしのごとく」という表ひょう現げんは、才さい能のうある人ひと々びとがずらりと並ならぶ様よう子すを表あらわす。
The expression 'like a galaxy of stars' describes a scene where talented people are lined up in splendor.

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Usage patterns

綺き羅らを纏まとうto wear splendid, gorgeous clothing
彼かの女じょは舞ぶ台たいで綺き羅らを纏まとい、観かん客きゃくを魅み了りょうした。
She wore gorgeous attire on stage and captivated the audience.
綺き羅らを尽つくすto spare no expense in dressing splendidly
貴き族ぞくたちは綺き羅らを尽つくした装そういで宴うたげに集あつまった。
The nobles gathered at the banquet dressed in the utmost finery.

Expressions

綺き羅ら星ほしのごとくlike glittering stars

Kanji

綺figured cloth, beautiful
羅gauze, thin silk, Rome

Related words

華か美びN1
綺羅 specifically evokes gorgeous, splendid clothing itself, while 華美 is a broader adjective-like noun describing showy, extravagant style in general (not limited to clothes).
美び服ふく
美服 is a plainer, more literal term for beautiful clothing, whereas 綺羅 has a more poetic, literary flavor and is often used in fixed expressions like 綺羅星.

Opposites

粗そ末まつN3
綺羅 describes gorgeous, splendid attire, while 粗末 describes plain, shabby or poor-quality clothing—its direct opposite in feel.

Written forms

綺き羅らUsage31%
Standard kanji spelling; the word is often used in the compound 綺羅星 (きらぼし).
きらUsage69%
Kana spelling is sometimes used, especially in modern or casual contexts, but the kanji form is more common in literary or traditional usage.

Etymology

The kanji 綺 (beautiful, figured cloth) and 羅 (thin silk, gauze) combine to suggest fine, luxurious clothing. The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the word has been used in classical Japanese literature to describe splendid attire.