How to say "handsome" in Japanese

• 立派りっぱJLPT N5approx.Common
  na-adjectiveIts 'handsome' is the 'fine, splendid' sense: something impressive or admirable, such as a building, an achievement, or a person of fine character. For a good-looking man it is seldom the word you want.
  私わたしたちの学校がっこうには立派りっぱな図書館としょかんがあります。↗

  We have a nice school library.
• ハンサムJLPT N3approx.Common
  na-adjectiveThe direct word for a man's good looks: use it when you simply mean that a man is attractive in appearance. This is the natural choice for 'a handsome man'.
  あのハンサムな男の子おとこのこを見みて。↗

  Look at that good-looking boy.
• 端正たんせいCommon
  na-adjective, nounCovers 'handsome' in the sense of clean-cut, shapely features: a face whose parts are regular and well balanced. Use it when praising the shape and proportion of someone's looks.

Use 「ハンサム」 for a good-looking man, 端正 for regular, clean-cut facial features, and 立派 for the separate 'fine, splendid' sense — impressive people, things, or achievements — rather than for looks alone.

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

• 立派りっぱsplendid
• ハンサムhandsome
• 端正たんせいhandsome
• 眉目秀麗びもくしゅうれいhandsome
• 端麗たんれいfine-looking
• ご立派ごりっぱsplendid