小町|こまちkomachi[1]atamadaka (head-high)

1. nounbelle; (town) beauty
   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.

• Synonym美人びじんNeutralThe most general word for a beautiful woman; 「小町」 adds the nuance of a beauty famed in a particular region or group, as in 「秋田小町」.
• Synonym美女びじょNeutralAlso just 'beautiful woman', but leans toward written description; 「小町」 carries the flavor of a local celebrity.
• Synonym傾城けいせいWrittenWritten/formal prose for a beauty who could topple a castle; in the past also a high-ranking courtesan.
• Synonym佳人かじんWrittenWritten/formal prose for a beautiful woman, now mostly seen in the set phrase 「佳人薄命」.
• Synonym麗人れいじんWrittenWritten/formal prose for a woman of striking beauty, as in 「男装の麗人」.
• SynonymべっぴんCasualColloquial, with a Kansai flavor: a pretty girl, said with a warm, friendly feel.
• Related傾国けいこくWrittenWritten/formal prose: a beauty of devastating, state-toppling allure; in old times also a courtesan.
• Related美姫びきWrittenWritten/formal prose for a beautiful princess or maiden, found mainly in historical and fantasy contexts.

For a beautiful woman in general, say 「美人」. Use 「小町」 for a woman famous as a beauty in her town or workplace, as in 「秋田小町」 or 「町内の小町娘」. In casual speech, 「べっぴん」 works; the rest are written/formal prose words.

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

1. 小野おの小町こまちが美人びじんであったとされることから地域ちいきなどで美人びじんとして評判ひょうばんのある女性じょせい。
2. 能面のうめんの一ひとつで、老女ろうじょの面めん。