# yugen

/ˈjuːɡɛn/ (US) · CEFR C2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/yugen
Updated: 2026-09-28

## Definition

a deep, mysterious feeling of beauty that is hard to describe in words. It is often used to talk about the feeling you get when looking at nature or art that makes you think about the vastness of the universe.

For teachers: a profound, mysterious sense of the beauty of the universe and the sad beauty of human suffering. In Japanese aesthetics, it refers to an awareness of the universe that triggers emotional responses too deep and powerful for words.

## Examples

- The mist over the mountains gave the landscape a sense of yugen.
- The traditional Noh performance was designed to evoke yugen, leaving the audience in a state of quiet, profound contemplation.
- In Japanese aesthetic theory, yugen represents an elusive grace that suggests more than it shows, inviting the observer to perceive the hidden depths of existence through subtle imagery and shadow.

## Usage notes

- Borrowed from Japanese; typically appears in discussions of aesthetics, literature, or philosophy.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.