AboutAyumi Expertise I can answer questions regarding Japanese culture, short translations, and written help.
Experience I am fully bilingual in both English and Japanese. I was born in Japan and had lived there for 18 years at which point I moved to the U.S. to further my studies.
Education/Credentials B.A. in Linguistic Studies Emphasis on Secondary Language Training
Expert: Ayumi Date: 12/20/2007 Subject: Question about "kawaii"
Question I am a college student in Japan.
I will write a graduation thesis about Japanese word "kawaii" which is used in the U.S.
Will you help me?
I Knew that "kawaii" is used in English-speaking countries on the news in Japan.
In fact, is "kawaii" used in the U.S.?
And what does it mean?
Does it have different means from cute, lovely, pretty and kitsch?
Answer Hi Natsumi,
In the U.S., kawaii is used as an Americanized word of Japan origin, often used by what we at home in Japan would call 'otaku' though, they are not as much of a homebody as they are in Japan, they tend to attend anime conventions quite often. (ちょっと恥ずかしいですね～）
The general use of the word encompasses: cute, pretty, cool, nice, etc. words of softening compliments.
