Japanese word

良い

Pronunciation

Romajiyoi

Meaning

  • i-adjectivegood

Example

この本は良いです。ko no hon wa yo i de su

This book is good.

Illustration for 良い (good)

More examples

その店は雰囲気が良いです。so no mise wa fun i ki ga yo i de su

The atmosphere at that store is good.

Core concept

Expresses that a person, thing, or situation has favorable qualities or produces an acceptable result.

Common phrases

  • 良い天気yo i ten ki

    good weather

  • 気分が良いki bun ga yo i

    feel good

  • 仲が良いnaka ga yo i

    get along well

Similar words

よろしいyoroshii: Describes something as acceptable, suitable, or satisfactory, often in polite speech.

Definition in Japanese

性質や状態が好ましく、基準や期待にかなっているさま。sei shitsu ya jō tai ga kono ma shi ku ki jun ya ki tai ni ka na tte i ru sa ma

Word origin

良い (yoi) is the modern form of the native adjective よし (yoshi), meaning "good", while いい (ii) arose from the pronunciation of よい (yoi).

Usage tips

  • The polite expression いいです (ii desu) can mean "no, thank you" in context, so いい (ii) does not always simply mean that something is good.

Other meanings

  • finei-adjective
  • nicei-adjective

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word