Japanese Conversation · Level 3
86 words
Japanese word
すごい
Pronunciation
Romajisugoi
Meaning
- i-adjectiveamazing
Example
この絵はすごいです。ko no e wa su go i de su
This picture is amazing.
More examples
毎日十キロ走るなんて、すごいです。mai nichi jū ki ro hashi ru na n te su go i de su
It is amazing that you run ten kilometers every day.
Core concept
Refers to something that produces an unusually strong impression because it is remarkably good or remarkably bad.
Common phrases
すごい人su go i hito
amazing person
すごい話su go i hanashi
amazing story
すごい人気su go i nin ki
huge popularity
すごいことsu go i ko to
amazing thing
Similar words
ものすごいmonosugoi: Describes something as extremely impressive, powerful, or intense.
素晴らしいsubarashii: Describes something as exceptionally good and worthy of admiration.
偉いerai: Describes a person or action as worthy of praise for effort, ability, or conduct.
Definition in Japanese
普通とは大きく異なる程度や状態で、非常に優れている、または非常にひどいと感じられるさま。fu tsū to wa ō ki ku koto na ru tei do ya jō tai de hi jō ni sugu re te i ru ma ta wa hi jō ni hi do i to kan ji ra re ru sa ma
Word origin
The native Japanese adjective すごい (sugoi) developed from すごし (sugoshi), which originally meant "frightening" or "terrible"; later usage also gave it the positive sense "amazing".
Usage tips
- In everyday conversation, すごい (sugoi) often expresses strong admiration, but the same word can also mean terrible when the situation is clearly negative.
Other meanings
- terriblei-adjective
Opposites
- しょぼいshoboiunimpressivei-adjective
Related words
- すごさsugosaimpressivenessnoun
- すごみsugomiimpressive powernoun