(びがく)

びがく
noun
aesthetics; personal aesthetic principles
academic
1. aesthetics
The branch of philosophy dealing with the nature and appreciation of beauty and art. Used in academic and intellectual contexts.
Study aesthetics at university.
We discussed Japanese aesthetic sensibility in an aesthetics lecture.
2. personal aesthetic principles, philosophy of beauty
One's personal standards or principles regarding what is beautiful, elegant, or admirable. Often used to describe someone's approach to their craft, lifestyle, or values.
That goes against his aesthetic principles.
Stick to one's aesthetic principles as a craftsman.
Her aesthetic philosophy is to never compromise, and you can sense a strong commitment in each of her works.

Usage

Sense 1 is the academic discipline, while sense 2 is the more common everyday usage — someone's personal code of beauty or principles. Sense 2 often implies a stubborn dedication to one's standards.

Common collocations

Similar words