かわいい！

Kawaii!

So cute!

Word for word

“Cute.”

Politeness: Casual

Plain form. Fine with family, close friends and people younger than you. Rude to a stranger or a boss.

When you would say it

Reacting to a pet, a baby, a small object.

Worth knowing

Said very often by people of all ages. Not just for animals: clothes, stationery, even food.