Japanese word

褒める

Pronunciation

Romajihomeru

Meaning

  • verbpraise

Example

先生は私の絵を褒めます。sen sei wa watashi no e o ho me ma su

The teacher praises my drawing.

Illustration for 褒める (praise)

More examples

家族が私の歌を褒めます。ka zoku ga watashi no uta o ho me ma su

My family praises my singing.

私は、子どもが自分から片づけたことを褒めました。watashi wa ko do mo ga ji bun ka ra kata zu ke ta ko to o ho me ma shi ta

I praised the child for cleaning up on their own.

Core concept

It presents someone's quality, effort, or achievement as worthy of approval through words of appreciation.

Common phrases

  • 人を褒めるhito o ho me ru

    praise someone

  • 努力を褒めるdo ryoku o ho me ru

    praise someone's effort

Similar words

称えるtataeru: To praise someone or something highly for an achievement or quality.
おだてるodateru: To praise someone excessively, often to gain favor or influence.
認めるmitomeru: To acknowledge the value, ability, or effort of someone or something.

Definition in Japanese

相手の能力や努力、成し遂げたことなどをよいと認めて評価する。ai te no nō ryoku ya do ryoku na shi to ge ta ko to na do o yo i to mito me te hyō ka su ru

Word origin

The native Japanese verb 褒める (homeru) is the later form of 褒む (homu), an older verb meaning "to praise"; 褒 (hō, "praise") is the kanji chosen to represent its meaning.

Usage tips

  • In Japanese conversation, 褒める (homeru) can focus on effort or a result, such as someone's cooking or work, rather than only on appearance.

Other meanings

  • complimentverb

Opposites

Related words

  • 褒め方homekataway of praisingnoun

Word lists with this word