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侘寂

wabi-sabi
noun★Advanced
literary

A Japanese aesthetic concept that embraces imperfection, transience, and simplicity, often found in nature and traditional arts.

侘寂の美しさは、古い茶室に見られる。

The beauty of wabi-sabi can be seen in old tea rooms.

侘寂は、不完全さや一時性を受け入れることから生まれる。

Wabi-sabi arises from accepting imperfection and transience.

💡

Often associated with Zen Buddhism and traditional Japanese arts like tea ceremony and flower arrangement.

Collocations

侘寂の美the beauty of wabi-sabi侘寂の心the spirit of wabi-sabi

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Phrases

物哀phrase
mono no aware (an awareness of the impermanence of things)

💡Pro Tip

Cultural Context

Wabi-sabi is deeply rooted in Japanese culture and is often misunderstood as mere simplicity or minimalism. It encompasses a profound acceptance of life's imperfections.

⚡Gold Rule

Avoid Direct Translation

Wabi-sabi is a complex concept that doesn't have a direct equivalent in English. It's best to explain the idea rather than translate it literally.

📖Word Origin

Derived from two separate words: '侘' (wabi, meaning simplicity or rustic beauty) and '寂' (sabi, meaning the beauty of age or imperfection).

📝Usage Notes

Used in artistic, philosophical, and cultural contexts to describe an appreciation for the imperfect and transient.

Word Breakdown

侘
simplicity, rustic beauty
root
+
寂
the beauty of age or imperfection
root
✎ Noted on May 28, 2026JA → EN

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