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優雅
ゆうが
elegant
彼女は優雅に踊った。
She danced elegantly.
formal
Graceful and stylish in appearance or manner; refined and sophisticated.
彼の優雅な振る舞いは多くの人に感銘を与えた。
His elegant demeanor impressed many people.
この庭園は優雅な雰囲気を醸し出している。
This garden exudes an elegant atmosphere.
Often used to describe someone's refined behavior, speech, or surroundings.
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Avoid overusing in casual contexts
優雅 is a formal word. Use it for refined situations (e.g., art galleries, high-end restaurants) but avoid it in everyday casual conversations where 上品 (jōhin) or 素敵 (suteki) would sound more natural.
Gold Rule
Pair with appropriate verbs
優雅 is often used with verbs like 踊る (odoru, 'dance'), 振る舞う (furu mau, 'behave'), or 装う (yosoou, 'dress'). For example: 優雅に踊る (dance elegantly), 優雅に振る舞う (behave elegantly).
Word Origin
From Middle Chinese 優雅 (yōu yǎ), combining 優 (yōu, 'excellent, refined') and 雅 (yǎ, 'elegant, graceful'). Entered Japanese via kan-on reading.
Usage Notes
Commonly used in both written and spoken Japanese to describe refined aesthetics or behavior. Often appears in contexts like art, fashion, or high society.
Word Breakdown
優
refined, excellent
root雅
elegant, graceful
root和英辞典