What is kawaii slang for?

cute, pretty, adorable. Basically, kawaii means “cute” or “pretty”. When you see adorable things like Hello Kitty or Pikachuu, kawaii is uttered. Sometimes kawaii can also be used for something ugly or gross.


What does it mean when someone calls you kawaii?

In Japanese, the word kawaii has a meaning that sits more or less at the juncture of "cute," "tiny," or "lovable." The cute aesthetic—with its bold, nearly cartoon-like lines and rounded forms—informs a large segment of Japanese popular culture.

What does kawaii mean urban dictionary?

An adjective in Japanese meaning " pretty; cute; lovely; charming; dear; darling; pet" It's stem is two kanji meaning "can love". It is commonly used by anime and manga fans.


What is the meaning of kawaii girl?

Kawaii Meaning and Values

The meaning of the word KAWAII is cute, cuteness when used in the language itself, but in relation to the Japanese culture it refers to something being lovable, adorable, innocent-looking, non-threatening, or even cool in certain connotations.

Why do Japanese say kawaii?

“Cute” in Japanese – Kawaii

Sometimes it means anything “small” and “loveable”. Other times it means “lovely”, “child-like” or even “shy.” Really, it represents any cute “kawaii” persona.


What is Kawaii? Intro to Japanese Kawaii Culture | Harajuku Style



Can you say kawaii to a guy?

It depends on the individual, most of my Japanese girl friends only say a boy is kawaii when he is a small child, or perhaps a particularly endearing little ojiisan. Usually when talking about guys we find physically attractive, kakkoii or ikemen do the job.

Is kawaii still a thing?

Yes, kawaii is everywhere in Japan. At home, at stores, at restaurants, and even at the station, you will spot some kawaii items and designs. If you like Japanese pop culture such as anime, manga and games, you might be more familiar with the concept of kawaii.

Why is kawaii so popular?

Kawaii is popular in Japan because Japanese culture values youth, where men and women seek to emulate youth by adopting the kawaii style of dress and lifestyle. It may also represent an escape from long working hours and strict social pressures that many people in Japan face.


What's the difference between kawaii and kawaii?

Kawaii ("cute") has four syllables: ka wa i and i. Kawai (the piano manufacturer) has three syllables: Ka wa and i.

How do kawaii girls act?

Kawaii girls have sweet, nice attitudes that everyone loves! They giggle a lot, are super kind to everyone around them, never pick fights, and are just pleasant to be around! Kawaii is all about being adorable, so find things that you like.

What is a kawaii desu?

So what does kawaii desu ne mean? Kawaii desu ne means, it's cute, isn't it? Or as a Canadian… it's cute, eh? Trust me, if you spend some time in Japan, you'll definitely hear this phrase… so even better if you learn it now!


What does Harajuku mean in English?

The word Harajuku means “meadow lodging” in Japanese, according to the online Japanese dictionary Jisho. As a town or village, it's been around since at least the 12th century.

Is kawaii popular in usa?

As the kawaii culture was becoming popular in Japan, the popularity was making its way to America. Americans started to adapt to the kawaii fashion and trends. The kawaii trend in America began in the 1990s. The success of Sailor Moon and Nintendo lead the path to the increasing popularity.

How do kawaii people act?

Be sweet, kind, and empathetic.

Being kawaii is more than just dressing cute, it's about BEING someone people identify as a sweet, kind, and adorable person. Looking attractive or having good style means nothing when your attitude is crap!


What are the different types of kawaii?

Types of Kawaii
  • guro-kawaii –grotesque cute. This is cute done in a disturbing, grotesque way. ...
  • kimo-kawaii – creepy cute. Think cuteness to the point of being creepy.
  • busu-kawaii – ugly cute. Can ugly be cute? ...
  • ero-kawaii – sexy cute. Best example: the French Maid.
  • shibu-kawaii – subdued cute. Everyday cute.


What is the cutest Japanese word?

かわいい (kawaii) — Cute

Though it actually means “cute,” it is also a pretty cute word to say as well.

Is kawaii a Hello Kitty?

Hello Kitty's popularity also grew with the emergence of kawaii (cute) culture. The brand went into decline in Japan after the 1990s, but continued to grow in the international market. By 2010 the character was worth $5 billion a year and The New York Times called her a "global marketing phenomenon".


How does a Japanese man flirt?

Japanese are known to be shy, so once they become a couple, they flirt discreetly when in public. For example, you can see many couples walking hand-in-hand but not kissing much. Most Japanese feel embarrassed even just exchanging a small kiss on the cheek in public.

Is kawaii feminine?

Japanese femininity is frequently associated with the notion of kawaii, or 'cute' (Kinsella, 1995), which some view as a required or natural quality for a Japanese woman, linked to her place in society (McVeigh, 1996). The term kawaii is regarded as an important “affect word”, connected to femininity (Clancy 1999).

What is a kawaii cake?

Kawaii Cakes is a baking and decorating book containing 30 recipes for cute Japanese-inspired cakes, cookies, cupcakes, donuts, cake pops, and more. Each design is super-quick, very cute, and really easy to make. Try a troll cookie, a unicorn cupcake, cute kitten donuts, bunny rabbit macaroons, and more.


Who started the kawaii?

As kawaii suggests, cute culture first originated in Japan, emerging out of the student protests of the late-1960s. Rebelling against authority, Japanese university students refused to go to lectures, reading children's comics (manga) in protest against prescribed academic knowledge.

What is kawaii style called?

The style has even evolved into various genres of cuteness, such as Guro-kawaii (grotesque cute), ero-kawaii (erotic cute), kimo-kawaii (creepy cute), and busu-kawaii (ugly cute). One contemporary artist to adopt the style is Takashi Murakami, who has developed his own set of cutsie—and often unsettling—characters.

What does Suki mean English?

Conveying fondness in Japanese. First of all, suki (好き). The latter can be used more lightly than the other three. It expresses affection rather than literal love and is usually translated into “like” in English. For this reason, it can be used between friends as well as between partners.


What is Nora Japanese?

The Japanese eggplant, called nasu, is known for its elongated and thin shape, dark purple color, and pulp that's almost seedless, which reaches a creamy and soft texture once cooked.

What is bijin in Japan?

The term bijin is defined by the Dictionary of the Japanese Language (Nihon kokugo daijiten) as: "A beautiful person. A beautiful person, superior in appearance to others. [...] A woman, beautiful in appearance.