Ask John: What do “Ecchi” and “Kawaii” Mean?

Question:
Can you explain the words: ecchi, kawaii?

Answer:
I need to state plainly that my experience with Japanese language is entirely encompassed by one semester of Japanese language as an undergrad several years ago, and a dozen years of watching subtitled and untranslated anime. I’m no expert on Japanese language, but I think I’m able to define at least these two terms reasonably well. “Kawaii” means, simply, “cute.” It’s usually employed in reference to anime girls or cuddly, fuzzy animals, but it can be used to refer to just about anything at all. “Ecchi” is an adjective, a noun and a pronoun. It means “lascivious” or “mildly indecent.” “Ecchi” can be used in all of the same ways that the word “hentai” can be used, but while “hentai” is usually reserved for something distinctly perverted or obscene, “ecchi” is a milder term, equivalent to “risqué.” As a descriptive term, “ecchi” can be used as “That show is ecchi.” As a noun, a show or manga could be called “ecchi anime.” As a pronoun, a lecherous character like Ryo Saeba (City Hunter) could be called “Ecchi” (as in “pervert!”) in place of his proper name. The word “ecchi” is also the origin of the term “H,” or “H-anime,” referring to hentai (adult) anime. When pronounced in Japanese, the word “ecchi” sounds very similar to the English pronunciation of the letter “H.” Coincidentally, the word “hentai” also begins with “H,” so adult anime is often referred to as simply “H-anime.”