kirei

Kirei is a Japanese term commonly written in kana as きれい or, less often, in kanji as 綺麗. It conveys the sense of cleanliness, order, and beauty, and can describe both physical tidiness and aesthetic appeal. In everyday speech it functions as an adjective meaning "clean" or "beautiful," and it can also be used as a noun in broader senses such as "beauty." The nuance depends on context and politeness.

Etymology: The kanji form 綺麗 is a compound of 綺, meaning "brocade" or fine cloth, and 麗, meaning "beautiful" or "lovely." The kana form is more common in casual writing.

Usage: Kirei is widely used to describe people, places, and objects—for example, a clean room, a pretty view, or someone who is attractive. It can also appear in phrases like kirei ni suru ("to make something clean") or kirei na hito ("a beautiful person").

Notable uses: In fiction, Kotomine Kirei is a major character in Type-Moon's Fate/stay night series; his given name Kirei is used in English-language materials, while Japanese order names him Kotomine Kirei.

See also: Japanese adjectives; beauty standards in Japan; Fate/stay night character Kotomine Kirei.