When a friend achieves excellent results, you want to express your feelings with a compliment and share in their joy. But how do you compliment someone in Japanese? In Japan, there are a variety of expressions that are used depending on the relationship with the person being complimented, the content of the compliment, and the speaker's feelings when giving the compliment. Let's learn how to give compliments using expressions other than the standard "iine" (like) and "iidesu ne" (that's nice).
1. Amazing (sugoi)
"Sugoi" is a compliment that Japanese people often use. It can be used in any situation, and is used when you are impressed by someone's attitude or behavior, or when you think "this is great!" It is an expression that is used intuitively rather than thoughtfully.
Example sentences
Did you clean this place all by yourself? Amazing!
Hitori de koko wo sōji sita no? Sugoi!
Did you clean this place by yourself? Amazing!
Example sentences
Amazing! It's like a professionally made dish!
Sugoi! Marude puro ga tsukutta mitaina ryōrida!
Wow! It's like a professional cook!
"Sugoi" is used with people you are very close to, but if you are not yet close to the person you want to praise or if the person you are talking to is older than you, you should use the honorific "sugoi desu."
Example sentences
You learned to play the guitar in just one week! That's amazing!
Gitā ga tatta 1-shūkan de hikeru yō ni natta n desu ne! Sugoi desu!
So you learned to play the guitar in just one week! That's amazing!
If you want to express "It's so amazing!", you can use "suggoi!", "suggo!", or "sugōi!". These expressions are very casual, so use them only with friends. If the person you're talking to is a senior, even if you show respect by saying "sugoi desu" or "desu," it will sound rude to them.
Example sentences
Wow! I've never seen such a beautiful sky before.
Suggo! Konna kirē na sora, hajimete mita.
Amazing! I've never seen such a beautiful sky.
Example sentences
Look at that sky! It's amazing!
Ano sora mite! Sugōi!
Look at that sky! Awesome!
2. wonderful (subarashī)
"Subarashī" is a more polite expression than "sugoi." It conveys to the other person that you are "impressed" or "feel deeply and genuinely." Also, unlike "sugoi," which is used intuitively, it is often used when you also want to state the reason for your praise.
Example sentences
This painting shows talent. Amazing.
Kono e wa sainō wo kanji sasemasu. Subarasī.
This picture gives me a sense of talent. Great.
If you are not yet close to the person or if they are older than you, use the honorific "subarasī desu" (that's wonderful) instead of "subarasī" (that's wonderful). Honorific language is a beautiful expression that clearly conveys politeness and sincere admiration to the other person, so be sure to say it with feeling.
Example sentences
You can speak five languages. That's amazing.
Gokakokugo ga hanaseru n desu ne. Subarasī desu.
You can speak five languages. It's wonderful.
3. Wonderful (suteki)
"Suteki" (wonderful), like "sugoi" (amazing), is a useful word that can be used in any situation. You might say "suteki" when looking at fashionable clothes, or you might say "suteki" when describing someone who lives their life carefully and in their own unique way. You could also say "suteki" when looking at a captivating landscape that looks like a painting. "Suteki" is an expression used when you feel "stylish," "comfortable," or "somehow happy."
Example sentences
That's great! Where did you buy that outfit?
Suteki! Sono fuku doko de katta no?
Cool! Where did you buy that outfit?
Example sentences
A row of cherry blossom trees! So beautiful!
Sakura namiki da! Suteki!
Cherry trees! So pretty!
"Suteki (wonderful)" is convenient and can be used at any time, but men don't use it very often. This seems to be related to the fact that this expression gives the listener a feminine impression. In addition to "suteki (wonderful)," there is another expression that men can use in various situations: "Iine! (Like!)." "Iine! (Like!)" can be used by both men and women.
4. Like
Like "sugoi," "like (īne)" is heard in a variety of situations. The difference between it and "sugoi" is that it doesn't have as strong a complimenting effect. "like (īne)!" can be used when you agree or approve of someone, but it doesn't have as strong a connotation of praise, so it's not suitable when you want to sincerely compliment someone.
If the person you're speaking to is older than you or your boss, you'll always use the polite form "Iidesu ne" (That's nice) instead of "Iine!" (Like!), but that's not enough. "Iine!" (Like!) can be interpreted as a judgment rather than a simple compliment, and can come across as impertinent.
Let's consider an example sentence. Suppose a subordinate at work expresses his or her admiration for a superior's opinion.
Example sentences
That's great! I agree.
Īdesu ne! Watasi mo sansē desu.
That's a good idea. I agree.
The subordinate was truly impressed by the boss's opinion and said "That's great! (īdesu ne!)". However, some bosses may think that it is presumptuous of a subordinate to judge whether something is good or bad. To prevent this kind of misunderstanding, after saying "That's great! (īdesu ne!)", you should add "I agree too! (watasi mo sansē desu)" to show that you agree.
5. As expected (sasuga)
"Sasuga" is also a compliment, but it is not just a simple compliment; it is an expression that conveys deep admiration.
Example sentences
This dish is delicious! As expected!
Kono ryōri oishī! Sasuga!
This dish is delicious. That is as good as I expected!
This compliments the dish in front of the person, but also praises their past ability to prepare many delicious dishes. It also conveys that the speaker knows and recognizes their abilities, which makes the person who receives the compliment very happy.
In Japanese, there are many ways to give compliments. It would be good to learn to use compliments that suit your feelings at the time, rather than always praising someone in the same way. Furthermore, it would be even more fun if you could use more advanced compliments that add meaning, such as "As expected!" If you are even slightly interested in Japanese, Experienced teachers will teach you practical Japanese Human Academy Japanese Language Learning Plus Free Membership Registration Would you like to try it?