JLPT N4・N5 Vocabulary – Difference between “きれい” and “美しい”
Table of Contents
1. Difference between “きれい” and “美しい”
2. きれい
3. 美しい
4. Let’s Compare
5. Summary
6. Similar Articles
7. Comment
Q: What is the difference between “きれい” and “美しい“?
A: Both are adjectives that mean “good-looking” or “well-ordered” in appearance, but they differ in how they are used and the nuances they carry.
きれい (JLPT N5)
[Meaning]
① Bright and attractive in color or shape; visually beautiful
② Having a well-balanced appearance or facial features; pleasant to look at
③ Having a pleasant, easy-to-listen-to voice or sound
④ Free of dirt; clean and hygienic
[Examples]
きれいな花が咲いています。（①）
A beautiful flower is blooming.
彼女は背が高くてきれいです。（②）
She is tall and pretty.
きれいな発音で話します。（③）
She speaks with clear pronunciation.
手をきれいにしましょう。（④）
Let’s clean our hands.
“きれい” is a word that expresses a subjective sense of beauty or neatness. It can be used not only for things that are visually perceived, but also for abstract concepts. It applies to a wide range of subjects such as people, scenery, voices, writing, and places. This expression is highly versatile and can be used naturally in both spoken and written language.
[Examples]
マリアさんはきれいな人です。（対象：人）
Maria is a pretty person. (Target: person)
部屋はきれいに片付いています。（対象：場所）
The room is nicely cleaned. (Target: place)
このアナウンサーの声は、とてもきれいです。（対象：声〈抽象的〉）
This announcer’s voice is very clear and pleasant. (Target: voice [abstract])
美しい (JLPT N4)
[Meaning]
① Having harmony in color, shape, or sound, and giving a sense of beauty that moves the viewer or listener
② Having a pure heart or behavior, free from impurity or corruption
[Examples]
バイオリンは美しい音色を奏でます。（①）
The violin makes a beautiful sound.
山の頂から見た日の出は、とても美しかったです。（①）
The sunrise I saw from the top of the mountain was very beautiful.
彼女は美しい心の持ち主です。（②）
She has a beautiful heart.
人のために尽くすその姿勢は、美しいと感じました。（②）
I thought her attitude of helping others was beautiful.
While “きれい” is a more subjective evaluation, “美しい” tends to be used based on more objective and universal values. It is often used for subjects that evoke harmony, such as nature, works of art, or emotionally moving scenes, and conveys a sense of deep beauty or sublimity.
Additionally, “美しい” is more commonly used in written language than in spoken conversation. It has a poetic and literary tone, and for that reason, it is more often found in writing or speeches rather than in everyday dialogue.
[Examples]
山頂から見える景色はとても美しかったです。（対象：自然）
The view from the top of the mountain was very beautiful. (Target: nature)
この美しい音色はどこから聞こえてくるのでしょう。（対象：音）
Where is this beautiful sound coming from? (Target: sound)
彼女ほど美しい人は見たことがありません。（対象：人）
I have never seen anyone as beautiful as her. (Target: person)
Let’s Compare
Let’s consider the difference in impression between the following expressions:
① 彼女はきれいな人です。
She is a pretty person.
② 彼女は美しい人です。
She is a beautiful person.
Both expressions suggest that the person has a well-balanced appearance, but sentence ②, “She is a beautiful person,” gives the impression of a deeper, more moving kind of beauty—something that touches the heart.
The word “美しい” conveys a sense of elegance and refined beauty, more so than “きれい.”
Because of this, “美しい” can also be used for abstract subjects. It expresses a sense of purity and clarity, and can convey deeper inner values or emotions.
For example:
① あの人はきれいな心を持っています。
That person has a pure heart.
② あの人は美しい心を持っています。
That person has a beautiful heart.
In sentence ①, it means the person has a sincere and untainted heart.
In sentence ②, it suggests not only purity, but also a deep kindness and grace of character.
Summary
| Meaning | Subjects | Context & Nuance | |
| きれい | ① Bright and attractive in color or shape; visually beautiful ② Having a well-balanced appearance or facial features; pleasant to look at ③ Having a pleasant, easy-to-listen-to voice or sound ④ Free of dirt; clean and hygienic | A wide range of subjects, including people, objects, places, voices, writing, and abstract things. | ・Used in both everyday conversation and written language ・Subjective, casual, and commonly used in daily life |
| 美しい | ① Having harmony in color, shape, or sound, and giving a sense of beauty that moves the viewer or listener ② Having a pure heart or behavior, free from impurity or corruption | Often used for subjects that involve harmony or emotional impact, such as nature, art, sound, and a person’s inner qualities. | ・Often used in literary or poetic contexts ・Mainly used in written language ・Objective, refined, and artistic |
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