美 化(びか)

びか

noun; verb (する)

beautification; glorification

1. beautification, making beautiful

The act of making something more beautiful or attractive, especially the physical appearance of a place. Used in environmental cleanup and urban improvement contexts.

町(まち)の美化(びか)活動(かつどう)に参加(さんか)する。

Participate in a town beautification activity.

公園(こうえん)を美化(びか)するためにボランティアが集(あつ)まった。

Volunteers gathered to beautify the park.

駅前(えきまえ)の美化(びか)運動(うんどう)のおかげで、ゴミの量(りょう)がずいぶん減(へ)った。

Thanks to the beautification campaign around the station, the amount of trash has decreased significantly.

2. glorification, idealization, romanticization

Presenting something in a more favorable or idealized light than reality. Often carries a critical nuance, suggesting distortion or whitewashing of the truth.

過去(かこ)を美化(びか)してはいけない。

You shouldn't glorify the past.

暴力(ぼうりょく)を美化(びか)する映画(えいが)には批判(ひはん)が多(おお)い。

Films that glorify violence draw a lot of criticism.

自分(じぶん)の経験(けいけん)を美化(びか)して語(かた)る人(ひと)は少(すく)なくない。

There are quite a few people who romanticize their experiences when telling stories.

USAGE NOTE:
Sense 1 (beautification) is concrete and neutral in tone, while sense 2 (glorification) is abstract and often carries a negative or critical nuance. Context usually makes the intended meaning clear.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

美化(びか)活動(かつどう) (beautification activity)
美化(びか)運動(うんどう) (beautification campaign)
過去(かこ)を美化(びか)する (glorify the past)
暴力(ぼうりょく)を美化(びか)する (glorify violence)
自分(じぶん)を美化(びか)する (idealize oneself)

general

Added 2026.2.27 15:55

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