1.
charm; taste; refined atmosphere; artistic sentiment
An elegant or emotionally evocative quality that appeals to one's aesthetic sensibility. Used to describe the subtle beauty, mood, or emotional resonance of a scene, object, or experience.
古い町並みに情趣を感じる。
I feel a sense of charm in the old townscape.
この庭園は四季それぞれの情趣がある。
This garden has its own charm in each of the four seasons.
和室に生けた花が、部屋に情趣を添えている。
The flowers arranged in the Japanese-style room add an elegant touch to the space.
A compound of 情 (emotion, feeling) and 趣 (taste, charm). Describes a refined, emotionally resonant quality — the kind of subtle beauty that evokes feeling and appreciation. It is closely related to the Japanese aesthetic sensibility of appreciating mood and atmosphere.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 情趣がある: to have charm/atmosphere
- 情趣を感じる: to feel the charm
- 情趣に富む: to be rich in charm
- 情趣を添える: to add charm/atmosphere
- 情趣豊かな: rich in charm and sentiment
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 風情: elegance, atmosphere — very similar; 風情 often emphasizes the visual or environmental impression, while 情趣 emphasizes the emotional resonance
- 趣: taste, elegance, flavor — broader and can be used more casually; 情趣 is more literary
- 風雅: refined elegance — more elevated and literary, often associated with classical arts and poetry
REGISTER:
Literary and formal. Commonly used in travel writing, literary criticism, and descriptions of traditional Japanese culture. Less common in casual everyday conversation.