In Japanese, "kawaii" means "cute" and "kakkoi" means "cool." Both are words that are often used in everyday life, but there are actually other ways to say the same thing. In this article, we will introduce various ways to express "kawaii"and "kakkoi."
First, let me introduce various ways to say "kawaii (kawaī)".
1.Cute (kyūto)
"Kyūto" is a Japanese word meaning "cute." It is derived from the pronunciation of the English word "cute."
Example sentences
That bag is cute!
Sono kaban, kyūtoda ne!
Your bag is cute!
Example sentences
I bought a cute bag.
Kyūtona kutsu wo katta no.
I bought cute shoes.
2.Kyawatan
"Kyawatan"is a youth slang that casually expresses "cute." It is said that the word originated when it was first used by junior high and high school girls. Originally, "kyawatan" was mostly used in writing, such as in emails and on social media. However, nowadays, some people seem to use it in conversation as well.
"Kyawa tan" is a slang term used by young people, so be careful not to use it in formal situations.
Example sentences
This outfit is so cute. I want to buy it.
Kono fuku, kyawa tan. Kaitai na.
This outfit is cute. I want to buy it.
Example sentences
Look! That dog is so cute!
Mite! Ano inu, kyawa tan!
Look! What a cute dog!
Similar words to "kyawa tan" include "kyawa" and "kyawawa,"but both have the same meaning and usage.
Example sentences
The boyfriend you introduced earlier is so cute.
Sakki shōkai shite kureta kareshi, kyawawada ne.
The boyfriend introduced earlier is cute, isn't he?
3.gū kawa
"Gū kawa" is a youth slang that means "cute." "Gū kawa" is an abbreviation of the Japanese phrase "gūnone mo denai hodo kawaī" (so cute that you can't even say a word). "gūnone mo denai" (too cute to even say a word) means "a state in which you can't argue or make excuses at all." Therefore, "gū kawa" is used when you want to express "cuteness so great that no one can disagree."
Example sentences
My three-year-old nephew is super cute.
3-sai ni natta watashi no oi-kko ga gū kawa.
My three-year-old nephew is absolutely cute.
Example sentences
My friend just picked up a kitten and it's so cute.
Yūjin ga koneko wo hirotte kita ndakedo, gū kawa sugiru.
My friend picked up a kitten, and it's so cute.
4.Menkoi
"Menkoi" is a dialect used in Hokkaido and the Tohoku region that means "cute." It is often used by older people to express how adorable someone younger than them is.
Example sentences
You're so cute~
Kimi, menkoi ne ~
You're cute.
Example sentences
My older sister, who is much older than me, always treats me like a child and calls me cute.
Toshi no hanareta ane wa, itsu made mo boku wo kodomo atsukai shite “menkoi” to itte kuru.
My older sister always treats me as a child and says, "You're cute."
Next, I'll introduce various ways to express "cool" in Japanese.
5.Cool
"Kūru" is also a word that means "cool." It is derived from the pronunciation of the English word "cool," which also means "cool." The main meaning of "kūru" in Japanese is "cool appearance." It can also be used when you want to convey that you like someone's attitude or behavior.
Example sentences
I fell in love at first sight with a cool-looking guy I met at a party.
Pātī de atta kūruna gaiken no dansei ni hitomebore shita.
I fell in love at first sight with a cool looking man I met at the party
Example sentences
He's cool because he always helps me when I'm carrying heavy luggage.
Omoi nimotsu wo motte iruto itsumo tetsudatte kureru kare wakūruda.
He is cool because he always helps me with heavy luggage.
"Kūru" means not only "cool" but also "calm and collected."
Example sentences
My friends say my brother is cool and handsome.
Watashi no ani wa kūrude kakkoī to yūjin kara hyōbanda.
My brother has a reputation from friends for being calm and cool.
6.Handsome man (ikemen)
"Ikemen" is a slang word used by young people that means "cool." It is mainly used to describe a man's appearance or personality.
Example sentences
Apparently the man who was transferred from the branch office is good-looking.
Shisha kara tenzoku shita dansei wa ikemen rashī.
The man who transferred from the branch office seems to be handsome.
Example sentences
He never speaks ill of others and has a good personality.
Hito no waruguchi wo keshite iwanai kare wa seikaku ga ikemenda.
He has a good personality and never says bad things about people.
7.Cool (ka kke ~)
"Kakke (ka kke ~)" is a slang used by young people that is an abbreviation of "kakki" (cool). It can also be written as "ka kke ~". It can also be used by younger people to express admiration for older people.
Example sentences
I want to become a cool adult like my teacher!
Ore wa, sensei mitaina ka kke ~ otona wo mezasu!
I want to be a cool adult man like my teacher!
Furthermore, in Japanese there are words that express both "cuteness" and "coolness" in one word.
8. Cool and cute
"Kakko kawaii" means "cool and cute." It's used to describe someone who is neither cute nor cool, but has a good balance of both.
Example sentences
The main character of this manga is cute in appearance, but she always speaks calmly, making her cool and cute.
Kono manga no shujinkō wa yōshi ga kawaii no ni, itsumo reiseina hatsugen de kakko kawaī.
The main character of this manga has a cute appearance, but she's always cool and cute with her calm remarks.
In Japanese, there are many other ways to express "cute" and "cool." For example, can you guess what "oni kawa"(demon kawa) means, which is a combination of "oni" (demon) and "kawaii" (cute)? Learning lots of Japanese expressions may help you enjoy Japanese anime and manga even more.
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