21 Cool Japanese Words That Are Hauntingly Beautiful

By Erin Himeno
An illustration of a green forest with a stream running through it, with the text that says, "21 Cool Japanese Words That Are Hauntingly Beautiful."

Some Japanese words are so succinct and deeply ingrained in Japan’s culture that they can’t be easily translated. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t learn them. These are amazingly beautiful and cool Japanese words that often describe concepts that we don’t have in English. It will impress your Japanese friends too!

Let’s look at some of these words that offer a deeper glimpse into Japan’s language and culture.

 

Seasonal

Here are some cool Japanese words that have seasonal themes.

 

 1.  花吹雪 (Hanafubuki) – Snowstorm of PetalsAn illustration of cherry blossom trees, with the flower petals falling down. There is Japanese text in the middle, and the English translation which says, "Hanabufuki Snowstorm of Petals."

This refers to when the traditionally loved cherry blossom trees release so many petals that it looks like a snowstorm. You will find that many Yamato kotoba have a common theme of cherry blossoms. In Japan, the cherry blossoms represent transient beauty, love, and other such bittersweet topics.

 

2.  風物詩 (Fuubutsushi) – Seasonal NostalgiaAn illustration of a cicada hanging on a branch. The text in the middle has Japanese characters, and the English translation which says, "Fuubutsushi -Seasonal Nostalgia."

Fuubutsushi is a specific sort of nostalgia. It occurs when a memory of a season or seasonal event is triggered. For example, the cry of summer cicadas might remind you of a particularly wonderful summer festival you attended. Every time the cicadas cry, you remember that festival. That is fuubutsushi. In Japan, where seasonal events are central to the culture, it is a poignant word indeed.

 

3.  細雪 (Sasame Yuki) – Snow that Falls in SilenceAn illustration of a snowstorm, with trees that are covered with snow. There is Japanese text in the middle with the English translation that says, "Sasame Yuki - Snow That Falls in Silence."

Sasame yuki is the finely powdered snow that falls in utter silence. It can also refer to the peaceful atmosphere that comes with such a snowfall.

 

4.  桜梅桃李 (Oubaitouri) – Unique Like a Petaled FlowerAn illustration on a pink background. There is a different type of plant in each of the four corners (cherry blossoms, plum blossoms, peach blossom and Chinese plum). There is Japanese text in the middle along with the English translation that says, "Oubaitouri - Unique Like a Petaled Flower."

The phrase oubaitouri is especially cool because it is a special kind of idiom called 四字熟語 (yojijukugo), or “four-letter idioms.” Each kanji of oubaitouri stands for a different type of seasonal spring flower.

桜 (ou) is the cherry blossom flower. 梅 (bai) is the plum blossom. 桃 (tou) is the peach blossom. 李 (ri) is called a Chinese plum in English, although its fruit tastes more like an apricot. What the phrase 桜梅桃李 means is that every person is unique, like a differently flowering spring bloom.

 

5.  蝉時雨 (Semi Shigure) – The Summer Cry of CicadasAn illustration of a green tree with several crying cicadas on it. There are other trees in the background. There is Japanese text in the middle with the English translation that says, "Semi Shigure - Summer Cry of the Cicadas."

The Japanese word for cicada is 蝉 (semi). Semi shigure refers to the harsh cries of Japanese cicadas that are often so loud they can drown out a human voice, just like a summer rainstorm.

 

Nature

Japanese culture is deeply engrained with themes of nature. Here are some cool Japanese words related to nature.

 

6.  鏡花水月 (Kyouka Suigetsu) – Untouchable BeautyAn illustration of the ocean at night, with a full moon above it. The light of the moon is reflecting off of the ocean. There is Japanese text in the center, with the English translation that says, "Kyouka Suigetsu- Untouchable Beauty."

Another four-letter idiom, kyouka suigetsu, refers to a beauty that is radiant but just out of reach, like the reflection of a full moon that shimmers on the water  (水月 – Suigetsu).   The first part of the kanji, 鏡花 (Kyouka), literally means “the flower in a mirror.”  Kyouka suigetsu can also havea a meaning of “profound beauty that can be felt, but cannot be expressed with words.”

 

7.  泡沫 (Utakata) – Transient Like a BubbleAn illustration of a bubble floating in water. There is Japanese text in the center with the English translation that says, "Utakata - Transient Like a Bubble."

Along the theme of water, utakata refers to something transient or fragile, just like a bubble about to burst on the water’s surface.

 

8.  花笑み (Hana Emi) – Blooming SmileAn illustration of a close-up of a woman's smiling mouth. There is Japanese text in the middle, with the English translation that says, "Hana Emi - Blooming Smile."

This cute phrase refers to a person’s smile as a freshly blooming flower.  The kanji character “花 (hana)” is translated as “flower.”  However, this phrase referred to a woman’s beautiful smile to that of a lily.

 

9.  恋蛍 (Koi Botaru) – Love Glowing Like a FireflyAn illustration of two fireflies on a branch, face to face, with a lot of other fireflies in the background in the air in the shape of a heart. There is Japanese text in the middle with the English translation that says, "Koi Botaru - Love Growing Like a Firefly."

If you’ve recently fallen in love, people might say you’re glowing. That’s sort of what koi botaru means: a glow of love (恋, koi) from your heart that’s like a shining firefly (蛍, hotaru).  However, this Japanese phrase also has a nuance of “a love that has not yet been recognized by the other person.”

 

10.  雨上がり (Ame Agari) – Silence After the RainfallAn illustration of raindrops on green leaves with a rainbow in the background. There is writing in the middle which says, "Ame Agari - Silence After the Rainfall."

Do you know that moment after a downpour when everything feels extra quiet? That’s essentially what ame agari means. It’s the moment when the world is still after a rainstorm, a peaceful, tranquil silence.

 

11.  麗らか (Uraraka) – Glorious SunshineAn illustration of a bright, shining sun, with a group of people playing under it. Some people are walking, some are running, and children are playing soccer. There is Japanese text in the center with the English translation that says, "Uraraka Glorious Sunshine."

Uraraka refers to the sort of day everyone wants to spend outside: the sun is shining, and there isn’t a cloud in the sky. It is a gloriously sunlit day that makes you feel tranquil and at peace.

 

12.  浮舟 (Ukifune) – Unreliable like a Bobbing BoatAn illustration of the ocean with a small wooden boat floating on it. There is Japanese text in the middle, with the English translation that says, "Ukifune Unrealiable Like a Floating Boat."

The word ukifune likens an unreliable person or thing to a toy boat as it bobs across the water.

 

13.  花を持たせる (Hana O Motaseru) – Letting Someone Else Take the CreditAn illustration of two open hands receiving a rose which is held by another hand. In the middle is Japanese text, with the English translation next to it that says, "Hana O Motaseru - Letting Someone Else Take the Credit."

The practice of 花を持たせる is praised in Japanese culture. It is the humble act of letting someone else take the credit (or flower) for your accomplishment.

 

Spirit, Heart, and Culture-related Words

The rest of our list will relate to words about the spirit/mind, emotions, or Japan-specific cultures and traditions.

 

14.  生きがい (Ikigai) – A Reason for LivingAn illustration of a teacher holding a book and sitting down with people sitting around him in a circle on the ground. There are children in the group, as well as adults with different professions (nurse, businessman, policeman). There is Japanese text in the middle with the English translation that says, "Ikigai - A Reason for Living."

Ikigai is someone’s motivation, or more strongly, their very reason for existence.

 

15.  一期一会 (Ichi Go Ichi E) – Once in a LifetimeAn illustration of a woman and a man walking past one another, looking back at each other to indicate some interest in one another. A tree is in the background. The Japanese text and the English translation is in the middle that says, "Ichigo Ichie - Once in a Lifetime."

一期一会 is yet another four-letter idiom. It has originated in traditional Japanese tea ceremonies as an idea that a prestigious meeting might only happen once. We must savor our encounters with people, for we don’t know when we might see them again.

 

16.  面影 (Omokage) – An Impression Left on the HeartAn illustration of an older woman with white hair looking at a picture in her locket. A close-up view of what she is looking at (the picture locket) can be seen on the left side of the picture. The pictures in her locket are of a man, and another picture of a younger version of her with the young man. The Japanese text in the middle also has the English translation which says, "Omokage - Impression on Your Heart."

The term omokage refers to a person or thing that leaves a very deep impression. Like a shadow cast forever on the heart, it remains a strong memory.

 

17.  馴れ初め (Naresome) – Budding RomanceAn illustration of a man and woman having a cup of coffee smiling at one another to indicate they are interested in each other. These is text in the middle that says, " Naresome - Budding Romance." There are also Japanese characters which translate to the same meaning.

You might hear the phrase naresome most often at a wedding or reception. It’s often used to tell the story of the newlywed couple and refers to how their love began.

 

18.  幽玄 (Yuugen) – Beauty UnseenAn illustration of a huge sun that is rising out from the mountains. Birds can be seen flying in the sky. There is a big cliff on the right side, with someone standing at the top with their arms above their head as if to express "yes!" There is Japanese text in the center, along with the English translation that says, "Yuugen - Unseen Beauty."

Yuugen is the concept of beauty that goes deeper than what’s seen upon the surface. It is a more profound beauty, one that is less material.

 

19.  甘美な (Kanbi na) – Audible BeautyAn illustration of a birds-eye-view of items on a table. There is a black camera, a smartphone playing music, and a picture album with a picture of a guitar and a man playing a guitar with a woman next to him. There is Japanese characters in the center with the English translation that says, "Kanbi Na - Audible Beauty."

Like this list of cool words, a word that is kanbi na is a word that is pleasant to the ear.   Or it can be used to describe things that are sweet, or pleasant to experience. For example, kanbi na can be used to describe things like sounds – 甘美な音 (kanbi na oto)、dreams – 甘美な思い出(kanbi na omoide)、or even dreams -甘美な夢(kanbi na yume).  It can also be used to describe food that is sweet, luscious, and delicious.

 

20.  切ない (Setsunai) – BittersweetAn illustration of a man sitting down on the ground, with his knees up and his arms crossed over his knees. His head is down resting on his arms. There is Japanese text in the center with the English translation that says, "Setsunai - Bittersweet."

A popular word for dramas or plays, setsunai refers to the bittersweet ache of loneliness or heartbreak. It feels like it will never end, but you secretly prefer that it lingers.

 

21.  侘び寂び (Wabi-Sabi) – Beauty in ImperfectionAn illustration of a bamboo water fountain with water flowing out of it into a small rock pond. The rocks around the water have green moss on them. There is also green bamboo in the background. There is Japanese text in the center with the English translation that says, "Wabisabi Beauty in Imperfection and Simplicity."

Wabi-sabi is a concept central to Japanese Buddhism. It captures the idea that things are all the more beautiful for their imperfections or transience. Wabi-sabi plays a significant role in much of Japan’s art, traditions, and culture.

 

A Brief History of Japanese Words

To understand what makes a Japanese word “cool,” a small distinction needs to be made about which Japanese words are actually Japanese.

When Japan was first developing its written language and all the poetry and storytelling that came with it, China strongly influenced it. Japanese people initially used a version of the Chinese alphabet.

Words from this system still exist in modern Japanese and are designated as 漢語 (kango) words. Kango is also present in most kanji, where it exists as the “on-yomi,” or on-reading of the kanji.

 

“True” Japanese Words: 大和ことば (Yamato Kotoba)

When Japan developed its own language, it still relied heavily on Chinese kanji. However, a unique Japanese alphabet was added—what we see today as hiragana. This development of Japanese as a language occurred mainly during the Yamato Period, so its words are referred to as 大和言葉 (Yamato kotoba) or 和語 (wago). It makes up the kun-yomi, or kun-readings of kanji.

You can discern the difference between the on- and kun- readings because the Japanese kun-readings will sometimes have hiragana appearing after the kanji. Let’s look at the kanji for “read”(読) as an example.

The on-reading is どく (doku), which becomes a single kanji: 読. The kun-reading “よ”(yo) is joined by the Japanese hiragana character “mu”(む) to form the word for read “読む” (よむ: yomu).

Not all the words in our list will consist of kanji and hiragana. However, they are all Yamato kotoba in the sense that they reflect true Japanese culture and mindset. As with most Japanese art or poetry, Yamato kotoba often reflect themes of nature, seasons, or matters of the mind and soul.

 

What Are Your Favorite Japanese Words?

Thank you for reading this article on cool Japanese words! Are there any words that you love but didn’t find on this list? Let us know in the comments or via email! We would love to hear from you.

Photo of author

Erin Himeno

Erin hails from the east coast of the United States. She initially came to Japan to share her love of English and country cookin', but ended up getting married and adopting two chubby cats. Erin doesn't mind; she enjoys her life in Japan and writes about culture shock, culture share, and the exciting chapters in between.

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