かわいい

adjective (i-adjective)

cute, adorable

1. cute, adorable

Describes something or someone that is endearingly attractive, charming, or lovable. One of the most commonly used adjectives in Japanese, especially when describing children, animals, or aesthetically pleasing items.

この犬(いぬ)はとてもかわいいですね。

This dog is very cute, isn't it?

かわいい服(ふく)を買(か)いました。

I bought cute clothes.

赤(あか)ちゃんがかわいい!

The baby is so cute!

あの女(おんな)の子(こ)はとてもかわいいですね。

That girl is very cute, isn't she?

妹(いもうと)がかわいい猫(ねこ)の写真(しゃしん)を見(み)せてくれました。

My younger sister showed me a photo of a cute cat.

かわいい is an i-adjective meaning cute or adorable. It can be written as 可愛(かわい)い in kanji but hiragana is far more common.

FORMS:

Adverbial: かわいく (e.g. かわいく着飾(きかざ)る, to dress up cutely)
Noun form: かわいさ (cuteness)

USAGE:
Extremely versatile — used for people (especially children), animals, objects, fashion, voices, and even actions. It is central to Japanese "kawaii culture," which values cuteness across fashion, entertainment, and daily life.

SIMILAR WORDS:

かわいらしい: gives a softer, more admiring nuance ("charmingly cute")
美(うつく)しい: beautiful (aesthetic beauty rather than cuteness)
きれい: pretty, clean (more neutral/adult tone)

NOTE:
When used about one's own children, かわいい can also carry the nuance of "dear" or "beloved" rather than just physical cuteness.

basic

Added 2026.1.7 21:03 · Revised 2026.2.19 11:19

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