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kawaii
What does kawaii mean?
Shorthand for an entire aesthetic of pastel colors, plushies, and round cartoonish charm.
"She dresses in full kawaii style, ribbons and all."
Origin
From the Japanese 可愛い (kawaii), meaning cute or adorable. It spread worldwide alongside anime, Hello Kitty, and Japanese pop culture exports.
Frequently asked questions
What does kawaii mean?
Kawaii is Japanese for 'cute'. Fans use it for anything adorable, especially in the soft anime or pastel aesthetic.
How do you pronounce kawaii?
It's said 'kah-wah-ee', with three quick syllables. Don't confuse it with 'Hawaii'.
What is kawaii style?
Kawaii style is a fashion and design aesthetic built on cuteness, pastel colors, plushies, and rounded cartoonish shapes.
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