清 楚(せいそ)

せいそ

na-adjective, noun

neat and pure; clean and refined; modest elegance

1. neat and pure; clean and refined; modest elegance

A quality of beauty characterized by cleanliness, purity, and understated grace rather than flashiness, often associated with a natural and unadorned appearance.

清楚(せいそ)な雰囲気(ふんいき)の女性(じょせい)だ。

She is a woman with a neat, refined air.

白(しろ)いブラウスが清楚(せいそ)な印象(いんしょう)を与(あた)える。

The white blouse gives a neat, modest impression.

庭(にわ)に咲(さ)く白百合(しらゆり)は、その清楚(せいそ)な美(うつく)しさで多(おお)くの人(ひと)を魅了(みりょう)する。

The white lilies blooming in the garden captivate many people with their pure, modest beauty.

Describes a kind of beauty that is clean, pure, unadorned, and modest. It conveys elegance through simplicity rather than flashiness. Strongly associated with traditional feminine virtues in Japanese culture.

Usage

Most often used to describe women, their appearance, or their demeanor
Also used for flowers (especially white ones), interior design, and clothing
Implies naturalness and lack of heavy makeup or flashy accessories
Very positive — conveys admiration for understated grace

Common collocations

清楚(せいそ)な女性(じょせい): a neat, refined woman
清楚(せいそ)な雰囲気(ふんいき): a clean, pure atmosphere
清楚(せいそ)な服装(ふくそう): modest, neat attire
清楚(せいそ)な美(うつく)しさ: pure, modest beauty
清楚(せいそ)な花(はな): a pure, delicate flower

Similar words

上品(じょうひん): elegant, refined — broader; can describe luxury
品(ひん)がある: to have class — similar but more general
華(はな)やか: gorgeous, glamorous — the opposite aesthetic; showy rather than understated
地味(じみ): plain, subdued — can be negative; 清楚(せいそ) is always positive

Related Words

Compare: 上品(じょうひん) (elegant, refined)

Compare: 品(ひん)がある (to have class)

Compare: 華(はな)やか (gorgeous, glamorous)

Compare: 地味(じみ) (plain, subdued)

Compare: 清純(せいじゅん) (pure)

Compare: 可憐(かれん)な (sweet and lovable)

Compare: 楚々(そそ) (graceful)

general

Added 2026.4.2 21:48 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02

21000/21488_seiso