Kawaii in Japanese

"kawaii" is written as one word in Japanese. No single kanji carries the meaning on its own.

可愛い

kawaii

可can, passable+愛love, affection+いnot in this dictionary

The characters below are the ones most often used to write "kawaii" and related ideas.

可

Top pick

can, passable, approval

Reading: ka

5 strokes

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Where it comes from

Composed of mouth and phonetic. Permission from mouth.

What it carries

Possible, permission, appropriate. Represents being allowed.

Related kanji for "kawaii"

Frequently asked questions

What is the Japanese kanji for kawaii?

The most common kanji for "kawaii" is 可, read as ka. It means can, passable, approval. Related kanji: 愛 (kawaii).

How many strokes does 可 have?

可 has 5 strokes.