JLPT N3・N5 Vocabulary – Difference between “かわいい” and “かわいらしい”
Table of Contents
1. Difference between “かわいい” and “かわいらしい”
2. かわいい
3. かわいらしい
4. Let’s Compare
5. Summary
6. Similar Articles
7. Comment
Q: Are “かわいい” and “かわいらしい” the same in meaning?
A: They are similar expressions, but there are clear differences in their meanings and usage.
かわいい (JLPT N5)
[Meaning]
① A person or thing that feels lovable or charming
② A person or thing whose innocence makes you naturally smile
③ Feeling affection toward someone’s distinctive traits or personality
④ A deep feeling of love and a desire to cherish someone or something
[Examples]
かわいい娘さんですね。（①）
Your daughter is very cute.
赤ちゃんの手って小さくてかわいいね！（②）
A baby’s little hands are so cute!
後輩は失敗も多いですが、そこもまたかわいいんですよ。（③）
My junior often makes mistakes, but that’s part of what makes them so cute.
祖母は、かわいい孫のためなら何でもします。（④）
My grandmother would do anything for her cute grandchild.
“かわいい” is a word used to express the loveliness or innocence of a person or thing, as well as the feeling of wanting to cherish or love them.
It can be used to express both subjective and objective emotions, but it is more often associated with subjective feelings.
[Examples]
子供は本当にかわいいです。
Children are truly adorable.
小さくてハムスターのような動物が好きです。とてもかわいいですね。
I like small animals like hamsters. They are so cute.
In addition, “かわいい” is also used when you feel affection toward someone’s distinctive traits or personality.
Even if those traits are considered negative, if the speaker perceives them positively, “かわいい” can still be used.
However, it is important to note that using “かわいい” toward someone of higher status may sound disrespectful, as it can be perceived as looking down on them.
[Examples]
田中君は失敗も多いけど、そのたびに謝ってくれる、かわいい後輩だよ。
Tanaka often makes mistakes, but he always apologizes. He’s such a lovable junior.
⇒ Here, even though making mistakes is a negative trait, the speaker expresses affection toward Tanaka.
ワンさんはまだ日本語が上手ではないけれど、一生懸命知っている日本語で話そうとする姿がかわいいですね。
Mr. Wang is not very good at Japanese yet, but the way he tries so hard to speak using the Japanese he knows is really adorable.
⇒ Even though his Japanese is not fluent, the speaker finds his earnest effort endearing.
かわいらしい (JLPT N3)
[Meaning]
The quality of feeling loveliness or cuteness through someone’s appearance or atmosphere
An expression that gives an impression of elegance and gentleness
[Examples]
この服はリボンがたくさんついていて、かわいらしいデザインですね。
This dress, decorated with lots of ribbons, has such a charming design.
彼女のかわいらしい笑顔は、とても印象的です。
Her sweet, adorable smile left a strong impression.
子犬が歩く姿は、とてもかわいらしいですね。
The way the puppy walks is truly adorable.
子供たちが一生懸命歌う様子が、とてもかわいらしかったです。
The children singing their hearts out looked absolutely precious.
While “かわいい” mainly expresses subjective emotions, “かわいらしい” is used from a more objective perspective.
“かわいい” is a direct and straightforward emotional expression, whereas “かわいらしい” conveys a more polite and elegant impression.
It is used when you feel a sense of loveliness or cuteness from someone’s appearance or atmosphere, and it typically expresses not just specific features but the overall impression, including personality and demeanor.
[Examples]
彼女はいつも笑顔で優しくて、かわいらしい人ですよ。
She is always smiling and kind, and she is such a charming person.
⇒ This expresses her overall personality, including both her appearance and inner qualities.
子供が大人を一生懸命手伝う姿が、かわいらしいですね。
It’s so adorable to see children trying their best to help adults.
⇒ This expresses the cuteness felt from the children’s actions, efforts, and overall demeanor.
Let’s Compare
There are cases where both “かわいい” and “かわいらしい” can be used correctly, but they convey slightly different nuances.
[Examples]
① 見て、ペンギンの赤ちゃん！かわいいね！
Look, it’s a baby penguin! So cute!
② 見て、ペンギンの赤ちゃん！かわいらしいね！
Look, it’s a baby penguin! How adorable!
In Example ①, the expression is subjective and shows a very direct emotional reaction.
In Example ②, the expression is more objective and slightly more reserved compared to ①.
The reason for this difference is that “かわいらしい” combines “かわいい” with “らしい,” adding the nuance of “seems cute” or “feels cute.”
As a result, “かわいらしい” carries a slight sense of ambiguity or emotional distance compared to “かわいい.”
When someone feels a strong and immediate emotional reaction, the more direct expression “かわいい” is naturally used.
[Examples]
見て！ペンギンの赤ちゃん！かわいい！！
Look! A baby penguin! So cute!!
わあ！この服、かわいい！！
Wow! This dress is so cute!!
⇒ In both examples, the speaker is expressing strong, heartfelt emotions in a very direct way.
Summary
| Meaning | Nuance | Emotion | |
| かわいい | ① A person or thing that feels lovable or charming ② A person or thing whose innocence makes you naturally smile ③ Feeling affection toward someone’s distinctive traits or personality ④ A deep feeling of love and a desire to cherish someone or something | ・Can be used for both subjective and objective situations, but is more often used subjectively ・Expresses emotions strongly and directly | ・Includes feelings of affection, closeness, and a desire to cherish ・Directed toward specific attractive features or qualities |
| かわいらしい | The quality of feeling loveliness or cuteness through someone’s appearance or atmosphere An expression that gives an impression of elegance and gentleness | ・Used from an objective perspective ・More reserved compared to “かわいい” | Expresses an overall sense of cuteness or loveliness, including personality, appearance, and atmosphere |
