Quick answer
美 is the kanji for "Beauty". Its reading is うつく.しい (utsukushii). This page includes example sentences and a stroke-order diagram.
Meaning
Beauty
Also : Beautiful
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Readings
kun = Japanese reading · on = Chinese reading
Practice writing
Trace the kanji stroke by stroke with a visual guide.
Stroke Order
9 strokes
Radicals
Memory Aid
The kanji 美 represents 'BEAUTY'. Think of this shape as a picture representing the concept of beauty.
On-reading: び — remember this sound by associating it with beauty. Kun-reading: うつく.しい.
Example Sentences
美術館で有名な画家の絵を鑑賞した。
びじゅつかんでゆうめいながかのえをかんしょうした。
I admired the paintings of a famous artist at the art museum.
桜の花が咲いてとても美しい季節になった。
さくらのはながさいてとてもうつくしいきせつになった。
The cherry blossoms bloomed and it became a very beautiful season.
Vocabulary using 美
Grammar to study at this level
- [Verb dictionary/nai form] + ように～ように (you ni) - So that
- [Verb dictionary form] + ことにする～ことにする (koto ni suru) - Decide to
- [Verb dictionary form] + ことになる～ことになる (koto ni naru) - It has been decided that
- [Noun/Verb te-form] + ばかり～ばかり (bakari) - Only / Nothing but
- [Verb/Adjective plain form] + はずだ～はずだ (hazu da) - Should be / It is expected
Last updated Jul 4, 2026
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