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きらびやか Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Common word JLPT N1 Freq. Frequency Top 50,000 Meanings 1
na-adjective
gorgeous ; dazzling ; gaudy ; resplendent
usually written using kana alone
Describes something visually brilliant, glittering, or richly decorated, often with a nuance of showiness or excess. Can be positive (gorgeous) or slightly negative (gaudy) depending on context.
The palace was decorated with dazzling ornaments.
Written forms きらびやか Usage 93%
Usually written in kana; the kanji form 煌びやか is also common and carries a more ornate feel.
煌きら びやか Usage 7%
Kanji spelling using 煌 (glitter, gleam); visually reinforces the dazzling nuance.
Similar words 派は 手で 派手 means 'flashy' or 'showy' and focuses on loudness or ostentation, while きらびやか emphasizes glittering, sparkling beauty.
華はな やか 華やか means 'brilliant' or 'glamorous' with a positive, elegant nuance, whereas きらびやか can also imply gaudiness.
Etymology Derived from the mimetic root きら (glitter, sparkle) combined with the adjectival suffix びやか. The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but it is related to words like きらきら (sparkling) and きらめく (to glitter).
