美学(びがく)

びがく
noun
aesthetics; personal aesthetic principles
1. aesthetics
The branch of philosophy dealing with the nature and appreciation of beauty and art. Used in academic and intellectual contexts.
大学(だいがく)で美学(びがく)を学(まな)ぶ。
Study aesthetics at university.
美学(びがく)の講義(こうぎ)で日本(にほん)の美意識(びいしき)について議論(ぎろん)した。
We discussed Japanese aesthetic sensibility in an aesthetics lecture.
ギリシャ哲学(てつがく)における美学(びがく)の概念(がいねん)は西洋(せいよう)芸術(げいじゅつ)に大(おお)きな影響(えいきょう)を与(あた)えた。
The concept of aesthetics in Greek philosophy had a great influence on Western art.
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.
それは彼(かれ)の美学(びがく)に反(はん)する。
That goes against his aesthetic principles.
職人(しょくにん)としての美学(びがく)を貫(つらぬ)く。
Stick to one's aesthetic principles as a craftsman.
妥協(だきょう)しないのが彼女(かのじょ)の美学(びがく)であり、作品(さくひん)の一(ひと)つ一(ひと)つに強(つよ)いこだわりが感(かん)じられる。
Her aesthetic philosophy is to never compromise, and you can sense a strong commitment in each of her works.

USAGE NOTE:
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:

  • 美学(びがく)を学(まな)ぶ (study aesthetics)
  • 美学(びがく)に反(はん)する (go against one's aesthetics)
  • 美学(びがく)を貫(つらぬ)く (stick to one's aesthetic principles)
  • 自分(じぶん)の美学(びがく) (one's personal aesthetics)

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 美意識(びいしき): aesthetic sense, sensibility (more about innate sensitivity to beauty)
  • 哲学(てつがく): philosophy (broader; 美学(びがく) is a branch of philosophy)
general
Added 2026.2.27 15:56
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