Kakkoii (かっこいい) is one of the most useful adjectives in Japanese. It can mean cool, stylish, handsome, or impressive depending on the situation. You’ll hear it in everyday conversation, anime, music, and social media whenever people admire something or someone.
What Does Kakkoii (かっこいい) Mean?
In kanji, kakkoii can be written as 格好いい, but in real life it is almost always written in hiragana: かっこいい. The basic pronunciation is kah-koh-EE.
You can use kakkoii for many things:
- cool / stylish – clothes, cars, design, music
- handsome / attractive – especially for men
- impressive / badass – skills, sports scenes, fight scenes in anime
- cool-looking – objects, logos, buildings, gadgets
Example Sentences with Kakkoii
あの人、かっこいいね！
Ano hito kakkoii ne!
➡️ “That person is cool / They look attractive.”
かっこいい車
Kakkoii kuruma
➡️ “A cool car.”
かっこいい曲をきく
Kakkoii kyoku wo kiku
➡️ “I listen to cool/awesome songs.”
スポーツができる男の人は、かっこいい。
Supōtsu ga dekiru otoko no hito wa kakkoii.
➡️ “Men who are good at sports are cool.”
あのアニメの主人公、マジでかっこいい。
Ano anime no shujinkō, maji de kakkoii.
➡️ “The main character in that anime is seriously cool.”
How the Meaning Changes by Context
The English translation changes a little depending on what you’re talking about.
| Context | Natural English |
|---|---|
| Person’s appearance | handsome / attractive |
| Clothes, fashion, hairstyle | stylish / cool |
| Actions, skills, sports scenes | impressive / badass / awesome |
| Objects (car, bike, logo, building) | cool-looking / sleek |
Synonyms and Slang Variations
There are several related words you’ll hear together with kakkoii.
- イケメン (ikemen) – literally “good-looking guy”; used only for men’s appearance.
- かっこええ (kakkoee) – a softer or Kansai-style variation of kakkoii.
- かっけえ (kakkee) – very casual / slangy; often used in anime or by young people to mean “so cool!”
- ハンサム (handsamu) – “handsome” in Japanese-English; a bit old-fashioned but still understood.
The opposite of kakkoii is often:
- ださい (dasai) – uncool, lame, out of fashion.
FAQ: Common Questions About Kakkoii
Q1: Can I say かっこいい to women?
Yes — when used for women, it can mean stylish, cool, strong, or admirable.
Q2: How do I say “was cool” in Japanese?
Past tense: かっこよかった (kakkoyokatta)
例: 昨日のライブ、かっこよかった。 = “Yesterday’s live show was so cool.”
Q3: Does kakkoii sound flirty?
Sometimes. Complimenting someone’s looks can have romantic nuance, depending on tone.
Kakkoii in Japanese Pop Culture
If you watch anime or Japanese dramas, you’ll hear kakkoii all the time:
- hero entrances
- special attacks & battle scenes
- idol stage outfits
- dramatic character lines
「あのシーン、マジでかっこよかった！」 = “That scene was seriously awesome!”
Mini Quiz
- かっこいい服ほしい。 → I want cool/stylish clothes.
- 彼はギターが弾けて、かっこいい。 → He can play guitar — that’s cool.
Related Articles
- Unraveling Oseji（お世辞）: The Art of Flattery in Japanese Culture
- What Does “Yokkorase” Mean in Japanese? Everyday Expression Guide
- 25 Ways Anime Characters Say “Otsukaresama”
- What Does “Kawaii” Really Mean in Japanese?
- Ikemen（イケメン） Meaning: Handsome Men in Japanese
If you’re learning Japanese, “kakkoii” will be one of the first real-life words you notice. It’s simple, flexible, and a great way to show genuine admiration in natural Japanese.
