Japanese word

えらい

Pronunciation

Romajierai

Meaning

  • i-adjectivegreat

Example

最後までやったのはえらいです。sai go ma de ya tta no wa e ra i de su

It is great that you finished it.

Illustration for えらい (great)

More examples

失敗しても練習を続けるのはえらいです。ship pai shi te mo ren shū o tsuzu ke ru no wa e ra i de su

It is great that you keep practicing even when you make mistakes.

Core concept

It marks a person's effort or achievement as worthy of praise rather than merely stating that it is large or powerful.

Common phrases

  • えらい子e ra i ko

    good child

Similar words

すごいsugoi: Describes someone or something as impressive because of its ability, size, degree, or result.
素晴らしいsubarashii: Describes a person, action, or result as excellent and worthy of strong praise.

Definition in Japanese

能力や行いが優れていて、立派だと評価できるさま。nō ryoku ya okona i ga sugu re te i te rip pa da to hyō ka de ki ru sa ma

Word origin

The native Japanese adjective 偉い (erai) developed from the classical form 偉し (erashi), meaning "excellent" or "distinguished"; its deeper origin is uncertain.

Usage tips

  • In Japanese, えらい (erai) often praises the effort behind an achievement, so it can describe finishing a task without claiming exceptional talent.

Opposites

Word lists with this word