How to say "belle" in Japanese

• 小町こまちCommon
  nounCovers the 'belle' sense in the style of 'the beauty of the town': a admired local beauty. Slightly literary and complimentary; 美人 is the ordinary everyday word.
  浅草あさくさ小町こまちと呼よばれたものだ。↗

  She used to be called the Belle of Asakusa.
• 美人びじんJLPT N3approx.Common
  nounThe general word for a beautiful woman or good-looker, and a straightforward way to say 'belle'. Use this in most everyday contexts when describing someone as a beauty.
  スミス夫人ふじんは美人びじんで有名ゆうめいだった。↗

  Mrs. Smith was a famous beauty.

Use 美人 for a beautiful woman in general, and 小町 when praising a local or town beauty with a slightly literary, complimentary flavor.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 小町こまちbelle
• 美人びじんbeautiful woman
• 麗人れいじんbeautiful woman
• 美形びけいbeauty