elegant

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: The on reading is が, and the kun reading is みやび. It has 13 strokes. It appears in words for elegant movement and Japanese court music.
• Basic usage: 優雅 is read ゆうが and 雅楽 is read ががく.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• 優雅 / 雅楽
  • 優雅 means elegant and is read ゆうが. It describes movement or action as elegant or graceful.
  • 白鳥が湖の上を優雅に進んでいく。 means “The swan moves elegantly across the lake.”
  • 雅楽 means Japanese court music and is read ががく. It refers to Japanese court music performed at temple events or played on traditional instruments.
  • 寺の行事で雅楽の演奏を聞いた。 means “We heard Japanese court music at a temple event.”