(せいそ)

せいそ
adjective
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)雰囲気(ふんいき)女性(じょせい)だ。
She is a woman with a neat, refined air.
(しろ)いブラウスが清楚(せいそ)印象(いんしょう)(あた)える。
The white blouse gives a neat, modest impression.
(にわ)()白百合(しらゆり)は、その清楚(せいそ)(うつく)しさで(おお)くの(ひと)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)女性(じょせい): a neat, refined woman
  • 清楚(せいそ)雰囲気(ふんいき): a clean, pure atmosphere
  • 清楚(せいそ)服装(ふくそう): modest, neat attire
  • 清楚(せいそ)(うつく)しさ: pure, modest beauty
  • 清楚(せいそ)(はな): a pure, delicate flower

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 上品(じょうひん): elegant, refined — broader; can describe luxury
  • (ひん)がある: to have class — similar but more general
  • (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