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A2 adjective #200 am häufigsten 10 Min. Lesezeit

いい/良い

ii/yoi Top 200

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Erklärung いい/良い in your Level:

At the A1 level, 'ii' is one of the first adjectives you learn. You use it in its simplest form to describe things as 'good' or 'nice.' For example, 'ii tenki' (good weather) or 'ii hon' (a good book). You also learn the polite 'ii desu' to agree with someone or to say something is okay. The most important thing at this level is recognizing that 'ii' describes quality and that it is an 'i-adjective.' You might not yet be comfortable with the 'yoi' stem, but you should recognize 'yokatta' as a way to say 'That's good!' or 'I'm glad.' You use 'ii' to make basic judgments about your surroundings and to respond to simple questions about your preferences. You also learn 'ii desu ka?' as a basic way to ask 'Is it okay?'

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At the A2 level, you must master the irregular conjugation of 'ii.' You should consistently use 'yokunai' for the negative and 'yokatta' for the past tense, avoiding the common mistake of 'iikunai.' You also begin to use 'ii' in more complex grammar patterns, most notably '~te mo ii desu' to ask for and grant permission. You understand the social nuance of 'ii desu' as a polite refusal ('I'm fine, no thank you'). You start to distinguish between 'ii' (objective good) and 'suki' (subjective like). You can use 'ii' to describe people's characters ('ii hito') and understand its use in common set phrases like 'ii desu ne' to show empathy or agreement in conversation.

By B1, you use 'ii' fluently in conditional patterns like '~ba ii' (it would be good if...) to give advice or express wishes. You understand that 'ii' can mean 'sufficient' or 'enough' in various contexts. You are also introduced to more formal variants like 'yoroshii' and 'kekkou.' You can handle the nuance of 'ii' in phrases like 'ii kagen' (which can be positive or negative) and 'ii kanji' (good vibe). You no longer rely solely on 'ii' for everything; you start choosing more specific adjectives like 'subarashii' or 'umai' when appropriate. You also understand the use of 'ii' in idiomatic expressions and can use it to soften your speech when making suggestions or asking for favors.

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At the B2 level, you understand the subtle implications of 'ii' in different social registers. You know when 'ii' might sound too casual and when to switch to 'yoi' or 'yoroshii.' You can use 'ii' in complex sentences involving the 'no wa ii ga...' pattern (It's fine that..., but...). You are aware of the historical reason for the ii/yoi split and can use the 'yoi' form in written Japanese or formal speeches without it feeling forced. You also recognize 'ii' in various proverbs and more obscure idioms. Your use of 'yokatta' extends to expressing deep relief or hypothetical situations ('yokatta noni' - it would have been good if...).

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At the C1 level, you have a near-native grasp of the pragmatics of 'ii.' You understand how intonation and silence around the word 'ii' can change its meaning entirely, especially in high-context negotiations. You can use 'yoi' in literary contexts and understand its nuances in classical-style Japanese. You are familiar with the various kanji used for 'yoi' (like 良い, 善い, 好い, 佳い) and the specific nuances each one carries (moral goodness vs. aesthetic beauty vs. functional quality). You can use 'ii' in sophisticated rhetorical structures and understand its role in defining Japanese concepts of harmony and sufficiency.

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At the C2 level, your mastery of 'ii' is indistinguishable from a native speaker. You can navigate the most delicate social situations where 'ii' is used to imply things without saying them directly. You understand the etymological evolution of the word from the Nara period to the present. You can appreciate and use 'ii' in wordplay, puns, and high-level literature. You are fully comfortable with all honorific and humble variations and can use the word to express the finest shades of meaning, from philosophical 'goodness' to the most mundane 'okay.' You can also critique the use of 'ii' in various dialects and historical texts.

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いい/良い in 30 Sekunden

The basic word for 'good' or 'nice' in Japanese.
Irregular: use 'ii' for present, but 'yo' for all other conjugations.
Used for quality, weather, character, and giving permission.
Can mean 'no thank you' or 'I am fine' in specific contexts.

The Japanese word いい (ii) or 良い (yoi) is the primary adjective for 'good' or 'nice.' It is one of the most versatile and frequently used words in the Japanese language, covering everything from moral goodness to physical quality, pleasant weather, and even social permission. At its core, it signifies that something is desirable, sufficient, or of a high standard. However, for English speakers, it presents a unique grammatical challenge: while the dictionary form is often cited as ii, its historical and formal root is yoi. This distinction is crucial because all conjugations—such as the negative 'not good' or the past tense 'was good'—must be derived from yoi, never from ii. You will hear this word in almost every conversation, whether someone is praising a meal, agreeing to a plan, or describing a person's character.

Quality and Merit: Used to describe the high quality of objects, such as a 'good car' (ii kuruma) or a 'good camera' (ii kamera). It implies the item functions well or is aesthetically pleasing.

この辞書はとてもいいです。(Kono jisho wa totemo ii desu.) - This dictionary is very good.

Moral and Personal Character: When applied to people, it describes someone who is kind, virtuous, or helpful. 'Ii hito' translates to 'a good person.'

Beyond simple quality, 'ii' is used to express that something is 'fine' or 'sufficient.' This leads to one of the most common points of confusion for learners: the phrase 'Ii desu.' Depending on the context and intonation, it can mean 'That is good' (acceptance) or 'I am fine as I am' (polite refusal). For example, if a waiter asks if you want more water, saying 'Ii desu' usually means 'No thank you, I have enough.' This duality requires learners to pay close attention to social cues and the flow of the conversation.

お茶はもういいですか？ (Ocha wa mou ii desu ka?) - Are you finished with your tea? / Would you like more tea?

Environmental Conditions: Commonly used to describe weather (ii tenki) or a pleasant view (ii keshiki). It suggests a state that brings comfort or joy.

Using いい correctly requires understanding its unique status as an irregular i-adjective. While most i-adjectives follow a predictable pattern (e.g., takai -> takakunai), 'ii' switches its stem to 'yo-' for all forms except the present affirmative. This is because the word was originally 'yoi' in classical Japanese. In modern Japanese, 'ii' has become the standard for the dictionary form, but the 'yo' root remains for everything else. This means you must memorize the set: ii (good), yokunai (not good), yokatta (was good), and yokunakatta (was not good). Using 'iikunai' or 'iikatta' is a very common mistake for beginners and sounds distinctly incorrect to native speakers.

昨日の映画はとてもよかったです。(Kinou no eiga wa totemo yokatta desu.) - Yesterday's movie was very good.

In terms of sentence structure, 'ii' can be used attributively (before a noun) or predicatively (at the end of a sentence). When used before a noun, it directly modifies it: 'ii tenki' (good weather), 'ii kangae' (a good idea). When used at the end of a sentence, it describes the subject: 'Kono ringo wa ii' (This apple is good). In polite speech, you simply add 'desu' after 'ii' or its conjugated forms. Note that 'yoi desu' is also grammatically correct and often used in formal writing or very polite speech, but 'ii desu' is the standard for daily interaction.

Permission and Suggestions: The pattern '~te mo ii desu' is used to ask for or grant permission. For example, 'Tabete mo ii desu ka?' (May I eat this?). It literally means 'Even if I eat, is it good?'

ここで写真を撮ってもいいですか？ (Koko de shashin o totte mo ii desu ka?) - Is it okay to take photos here?

Another important pattern is '~ba ii,' which is used to give advice or express a wish. 'Dou sureba ii desu ka?' means 'What should I do?' (literally: 'If I do what, is it good?'). This pattern is essential for seeking guidance in Japan. Furthermore, 'ii' is often paired with particles like 'ne' or 'yo' to add emotional nuance. 'Ii desu ne' (That's good, isn't it?) expresses agreement or envy, while 'Ii desu yo' (It's fine / Sure!) expresses enthusiastic consent or reassurance.

You will encounter いい in virtually every social setting in Japan, from the most casual convenience store interaction to formal business meetings. In the service industry, staff might use it to confirm your preferences. For instance, if you are at a hair salon and they ask if the water temperature is okay, they might say 'O-atsu-sa wa yoroshii desu ka?' (Is the heat good/acceptable?). Here, 'yoroshii' is the honorific version of 'ii/yoi.' Understanding that 'ii' sits at the center of a spectrum of formality is key to mastering Japanese social dynamics.

「コーヒーのお代わりはいかがですか？」「あ、もういいです。」 (Refusal context) - 'Would you like a coffee refill?' 'Ah, I'm fine (no thanks).'

In casual settings among friends, 'ii' is used as a quick affirmative. If someone suggests going to a movie, a simple 'Ii ne!' (Sounds good!) is the perfect response. It conveys enthusiasm and agreement without the need for complex grammar. You'll also hear it in expressions of relief. When a stressful situation is resolved, someone might sigh and say 'Yokatta...' (I'm so glad / That was good). This use of the past tense 'yokatta' to mean 'I'm relieved' is one of the most culturally significant uses of the word.

The 'No Thank You' Nuance: In shops, if a clerk offers a plastic bag and you don't need one, saying 'Kekkou desu' is formal, but 'Ii desu' with a small hand wave is the most common way to say 'I'm good/No thanks.'

In the workplace, 'ii' is used to approve work or ideas. A boss might look at a report and say 'Kore de ii desu' (This is fine / This will do). Note that 'ii' here can sometimes imply 'sufficient' rather than 'excellent.' If the boss wanted to say it was truly excellent, they might use 'subarashii' or 'sugoi.' Thus, 'ii' often carries a sense of 'satisfactory' or 'meeting the requirements.' In media, such as anime or drama, characters often use 'ii' to describe their 'type' in a romantic partner: 'Ii hito ga ireba...' (If there's a good person [for me]...).

The most frequent mistake learners make with いい is improper conjugation. Because the word is 'ii' in its base form, it is incredibly tempting to follow the standard i-adjective rules and produce 'iikunai' (not good) or 'iikatta' (was good). However, these forms do not exist in standard Japanese. You must always revert to the root よ (yo) for any transformation. This is a non-negotiable rule that separates beginners from intermediate speakers. Even if you hear 'ii' all day, your brain must switch to 'yo' the moment you want to use a negative, past, or conditional form.

❌ 天気がいいくなかったです。
✅ 天気がよくなかったです。(The weather was not good.)

Another common pitfall is the ambiguous nature of 'Ii desu.' As mentioned previously, it can mean 'Yes, that's good' or 'No, I'm fine.' English speakers often use 'Ii desu' thinking they are saying 'Yes, please,' but without the right context or a following 'onegaishimasu' (please), a Japanese person might interpret it as a refusal. To avoid this, if you want to accept something, it is better to say 'Onegaishimasu' or 'Hai, ii desu ne.' If you want to refuse, a polite 'Daijoubu desu' or 'Kekkou desu' is often clearer than just 'Ii desu.'

Confusing 'Ii' with 'Suki': Learners sometimes say 'Kore wa ii desu' when they mean 'I like this.' While 'ii' means it is good, 'suki' specifically expresses your personal liking. 'Ii' is more of an objective evaluation of quality.

Finally, be careful with the word 'yoi' in casual conversation. While 'yoi' is the grammatical root, using it as a standalone adjective in a casual chat ('Kore wa yoi!') can sound unnaturally stiff, like a character from a period drama or a very formal professor. Stick to 'ii' for the present tense in 99% of spoken situations. Also, remember that 'ii' cannot be used to mean 'good at' a skill; for that, you must use 'jouzu' or 'tokui.' Saying 'Watashi wa nihongo ga ii' to mean 'I am good at Japanese' is incorrect; it would sound like you are saying 'I am a good Japanese [person]' or 'Japanese is good [for me].'

While いい is the go-to word for 'good,' Japanese has a rich vocabulary of more specific alternatives that can make your speech more precise and natural. Depending on whether you are talking about taste, skill, appearance, or sufficiency, you might want to swap 'ii' for something else. Understanding these nuances is a hallmark of the A2 to B1 transition.

いい (Ii) vs. 結構 (Kekkou): 'Ii' is general and casual. 'Kekkou' is more formal and often used specifically for 'sufficient' or 'no thank you.' If a boss offers you a drink, 'Kekkou desu' is more appropriate than 'Ii desu.'

いい (Ii) vs. 美味しい (Oishii): When describing food, 'ii' might refer to the quality of the ingredients, but 'oishii' is the word for 'tastes good.' Saying 'ii aji' (good flavor) is fine, but 'oishii' is the standard compliment for a meal.

このお寿司はとても美味しいです。(Kono osushi wa totemo oishii desu.) - This sushi is very delicious.

いい (Ii) vs. 上手 (Jouzu): As mentioned, 'ii' is for quality/character, while 'jouzu' is for skill. 'Ii hito' is a good person; 'Nihongo ga jouzu' is good at Japanese.

Other alternatives include 素晴らしい (subarashii) for 'wonderful' or 'splendid,' which carries much more emotional weight than 'ii.' If something is 'cool' or 'impressive,' younger people will almost always use すごい (sugoi) or いい感じ (ii kanji) which means 'a good vibe' or 'feeling good.' For physical health, 元気 (genki) is used instead of 'ii.' You wouldn't say 'Karada ga ii' to mean 'I am healthy'; you would say 'Genki desu.' Finally, よろしい (yoroshii) is the formal version used in business or by superiors to grant permission or confirm details.

How Formal Is It?

Wusstest du?

The word 'ii' is actually a relatively recent evolution. If you go back a few hundred years, everyone would have said 'yoi' or 'yoshi'. Today, 'yoshi' is still used as an exclamation like 'Alright!' or 'Okay!'

Aussprachehilfe

UK /iː/

US /iː/

Even pitch, though 'ii' often has a slight drop in pitch in standard Japanese.

Reimt sich auf

Oishii Ureshii Kanashii Sabishii Atarashii Tanoshii Suzushii Isogashii

Häufige Fehler

Pronouncing it too short like 'i' in 'it'. It must be a long 'ee'.
Confusing the pitch with 'ie' (house).
Failing to use the 'yo' stem in conjugations.
Over-emphasizing the 'y' in 'yoi' in casual speech.
Using 'iikunai' instead of 'yokunai'.

Schwierigkeitsgrad

Lesen 1/5

The kanji 良い is simple, and the hiragana is basic.

Schreiben 2/5

Remembering the 'yo' stem for conjugations is the only hurdle.

Sprechen 2/5

Nuance of 'no thank you' takes practice.

Hören 1/5

Very easy to hear and identify.

Was du als Nächstes lernen solltest

Voraussetzungen

ですはいいいえ天気人

Als Nächstes lernen

悪い素晴らしい大丈夫結構上手

Fortgeschritten

宜しい善良良好良識最良

Wichtige Grammatik

I-adjective conjugation

いい -> よく（ない/った）

Permission pattern (~te mo ii)

ここで待ってもいいですか？

Advice pattern (~hou ga ii)

薬を飲んだほうがいいです。

Conditional advice (~ba ii)

先生に聞けばいいですよ。

Exclamatory relief (yokatta)

雨が止んでよかった。

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Beispiele nach Niveau

これはいい本です。

This is a good book.

Simple attributive use of 'ii'.

今日はいい天気ですね。

It's good weather today, isn't it?

Using 'ii' to describe weather with the particle 'ne'.

いいですよ。

It's okay. / Sure.

A common affirmative response.

このカメラはいいです。

This camera is good.

Predicative use of 'ii' with 'desu'.

いいえ、いいです。

No, I'm fine (no thank you).

Using 'ii' for polite refusal.

いい先生に会いました。

I met a good teacher.

Describing a person's quality.

朝ごはんはいいですか？

Is breakfast okay/ready?

Using 'ii' to check sufficiency or readiness.

いい名前ですね。

That's a nice name.

Giving a simple compliment.

昨日は天気がよくなかったです。

The weather was not good yesterday.

Past negative conjugation using the 'yo' stem.

ここで休んでもいいですか？

May I rest here?

The '~te mo ii' pattern for permission.

この辞書はあまりよくないです。

This dictionary is not very good.

Negative conjugation 'yokunai'.

テストの結果がよかったです！

The test results were good!

Past tense 'yokatta'.

もっといい方法がありますか？

Is there a better way?

Using 'ii' to mean 'better' in context.

窓を閉めてもいいですよ。

You may close the window.

Granting permission with '~te mo ii'.

いいえ、もういいです。お腹がいっぱいです。

No, I'm fine now. I'm full.

Refusal based on sufficiency.

あの人は本当にいい人ですね。

That person is a really good person, isn't they?

Describing character with 'ii hito'.

どうすればいいか教えてください。

Please tell me what I should do.

The '~ba ii' pattern for seeking advice.

安ければいいというわけではありません。

It's not the case that it's fine as long as it's cheap.

Using 'ii' in a conditional 'as long as' structure.

もっと早く来ればよかった。

I should have come earlier.

Using '~ba yokatta' to express regret.

これでいいですか？

Will this do? / Is this sufficient?

Using 'ii' to mean 'sufficient' or 'satisfactory'.

いい加減な返事はしないでください。

Please don't give a half-baked/irresponsible answer.

The compound 'ii kagen' used negatively.

運がよかっただけですよ。

I was just lucky (literally: luck was good).

Describing 'luck' (un) as good.

気分がいいので散歩しましょう。

I feel good, so let's take a walk.

Describing one's mood or feeling (kibun).

この部屋は日当たりがいいですね。

This room gets good sunlight.

Describing the quality of light/exposure.

結果がよければ、すべてよし。

All's well that ends well (If the result is good, all is good).

A common proverb using the 'ba' conditional and 'yoshi'.

都合がいい時に連絡してください。

Please contact me when it is convenient for you.

Using 'tsugou ga ii' for convenience/scheduling.

彼は頭がいいけれど、少し冷たい。

He is smart (good head), but a bit cold.

Using 'atama ga ii' for intelligence.

ちょうどいい大きさの箱を探しています。

I'm looking for a box of just the right size.

Using 'choudo ii' for 'just right'.

仲がいい友達と旅行に行きました。

I went on a trip with friends I get along well with.

Using 'naka ga ii' for good relationships.

口がいいとは言えませんが、正直な人です。

I can't say he's well-spoken, but he's an honest person.

Using 'kuchi ga ii' (rarely used positively, usually 'kuchi ga warui').

景気がよくなるといいですね。

I hope the economy gets better.

Using 'yoku naru' (to become good) for improvement.

要領がいいので、仕事が早いです。

She is good at handling things, so she works fast.

Using 'youryou ga ii' for being clever/efficient.

善は急げと言いますから、すぐ始めましょう。

They say 'strike while the iron is hot' (Hasten the good).

Using the kanji 善 (zen) for moral/abstract good.

体裁がいいだけの計画は失敗する。

A plan that only looks good on the surface will fail.

Using 'teisai ga ii' for outward appearance/decency.

虫がいい話だとは思わないか？

Don't you think that's a bit selfish/too good to be true?

The idiom 'mushi ga ii' for being selfish or presumptuous.

彼は育ちがいいのが一目でわかる。

You can tell at a glance that he was well-bred/raised well.

Using 'sodachi ga ii' for upbringing.

程よい距離感を保つことが大切だ。

It is important to maintain a moderate sense of distance.

Using 'hodo-yoi' for moderate or 'just enough'.

格好がいいからといって、中身がいいとは限らない。

Just because someone looks cool doesn't mean they have a good character.

Using 'kakkou ga ii' for physical appearance.

耳がいい彼女は、わずかな音の変化にも気づく。

Having a good ear, she notices even slight changes in sound.

Using 'mimi ga ii' for sharp hearing.

見晴らしがいい丘の上に家を建てた。

They built a house on a hill with a good view.

Using 'miharashi ga ii' for a good view/outlook.

良し悪しは別として、その決断は尊重されるべきだ。

Regardless of whether it's good or bad, that decision should be respected.

The compound 'yoshi-ashi' (good and bad/merits and demerits).

万事、都合よく運ぶとは限らない。

Things don't always go conveniently for us.

Using 'tsugou yoku' as an adverb.

彼は人当たりがいいが、腹の底はわからない。

He is pleasant to deal with, but you don't know his true intentions.

Using 'hito-atari ga ii' for being affable/sociable.

古き良き時代の面影が残っている。

Traces of the good old days remain.

The set phrase 'furuki yoki' (good old).

何事も塩梅がいいのが一番だ。

In everything, a good balance/seasoning is best.

Using 'anbai ga ii' for state, condition, or balance.

彼は鼻がいいので、隠し事はできない。

He has a good nose (is intuitive/perceptive), so you can't hide things.

Using 'hana ga ii' metaphorically for intuition.

この論文は筋がいいが、データが不足している。

This thesis has a good line of reasoning, but lacks data.

Using 'suji ga ii' for logic, plot, or potential.

心地よい風が吹き抜けていった。

A pleasant/comfortable breeze blew through.

Using the compound 'kokochi-yoi' for comfort.

Häufige Kollokationen

いい天気

いい人

いい考え

いい匂い

仲がいい

頭がいい

都合がいい

運がいい

感じがいい

効率がいい

Häufige Phrasen

いいですよ

— It's okay / Sure. Used to give permission or agree.

「入ってもいいですか？」「いいですよ。」

いいですね

— That's good, isn't it? Used to show agreement or envy.

「新しい車を買ったんだ。」「いいですね！」

もういいです

— I'm fine now / That's enough. Used to decline more of something.

「お茶をどうぞ。」「あ、もういいです。」

どうすればいい？

— What should I do? Used to ask for advice.

迷子になった。どうすればいい？

〜てもいい

— May I...? / It is okay to... Used for permission.

食べてもいいですか？

よかった

— I'm glad / That was good. Used to express relief.

試験に合格した！よかった！

いい加減にしろ

— That's enough! / Cut it out! Used when angry.

いい加減にしろ！うるさいぞ。

ちょうどいい

— Just right. Used for size, time, or temperature.

このお湯はちょうどいい。

いい思い出

— Good memories. Used to talk about the past.

いい思い出になりました。

いい顔をしない

— To frown upon / Not look pleased. Used for disapproval.

父はその計画にいい顔をしない。

Wird oft verwechselt mit

いい/良い vs 上手 (jouzu)

Learners use 'ii' for skills, but 'jouzu' is for being 'good at' something.

いい/良い vs 好き (suki)

Learners say 'ii' when they mean 'I like it' (suki).

いい/良い vs 大丈夫 (daijoubu)

Both can mean 'okay', but 'daijoubu' is more about safety/lack of problem.

Redewendungen & Ausdrücke

"虫がいい"

— Selfish; asking too much; presumptuous.

自分だけ休むなんて虫がいい。

Casual

"いい薬だ"

— A good lesson; a bitter pill to swallow.

失敗したけれど、いい薬になった。

Neutral

"いい線いっている"

— To be on the right track; to be close to the mark.

その答え、いい線いってるよ。

Casual

"いい面の皮"

— To be made a fool of; what a nerve.

信じていたのに、いい面の皮だ。

Casual/Idiomatic

"口がいい"

— To be smooth-tongued (rarely used, usually 'kuchi ga warui').

彼は口がいいから気をつけて。

Neutral

"いいカモ"

— An easy target; a sucker.

彼は詐欺師にとっていいカモだ。

Slang

"いいなりになる"

— To be at someone's beck and call; to do whatever one is told.

彼のいいなりにはならない。

Neutral

"いい気になる"

— To get carried away; to be conceited.

褒められていい気になっている。

Informal

"いい骨折り"

— A good effort (often used sarcastically).

いい骨折りだったな。

Neutral

"いい知れぬ"

— Indescribable; unspeakable.

いい知れぬ恐怖を感じた。

Literary

Leicht verwechselbar

いい/良い vs 良い (yoi)

It's the same word but looks different.

'Yoi' is the formal/grammatical root; 'ii' is the spoken form.

良い行い (yoi okonai - good deed) vs いい天気 (ii tenki).

いい/良い vs 結構 (kekkou)

Both can mean 'fine/no thank you'.

'Kekkou' is much more formal and often implies 'sufficient'.

結構なお点前で。

いい/良い vs 宜しい (yoroshii)

Both mean 'good'.

'Yoroshii' is honorific, used by staff to customers.

よろしいでしょうか？

いい/良い vs うまい (umai)

Both mean 'good'.

'Umai' is more casual and often refers to taste or skill.

うまい！ (Delicious!)

いい/良い vs 素晴らしい (subarashii)

Both mean 'good'.

'Subarashii' is much stronger, meaning 'wonderful'.

素晴らしい景色。

Satzmuster

[Noun] wa ii desu.

Kono hon wa ii desu.

Ii [Noun] desu ne.

Ii tenki desu ne.

[Verb-te] mo ii desu.

Tabete mo ii desu.

[Verb-nai] nakute mo ii desu.

Konakute mo ii desu.

[Verb-ba] ii desu.

Kikeba ii desu.

[Verb-ta] hou ga ii desu.

Itta hou ga ii desu.

[Noun] ga ii desu.

Watashi wa ko-hi- ga ii desu.

Hodo-yoi [Noun].

Hodo-yoi ondo.

Wortfamilie

Substantive

良さ (yosa - goodness/merit)

良識 (ryoushiki - good sense)

最良 (sairyou - the best)

Verben

良くする (yoku suru - to make better)

良くなる (yoku naru - to become better)

Adjektive

良い (yoi - good)

宜しい (yoroshii - good/polite)

Verwandt

良好 (ryoukou)

改良 (kairyou)

優良 (yuuryou)

善良 (zenryou)

良心 (ryoushin)

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So verwendest du es

frequency

Extremely High; among the top 10 most used adjectives in Japanese.

Häufige Fehler

iikunai → yokunai
You must use the 'yo' stem for the negative form.
iikatta → yokatta
You must use the 'yo' stem for the past tense.
Nihongo ga ii desu → Nihongo ga jouzu desu
Use 'jouzu' for skills, not 'ii'.
ii desu (meaning yes) → onegaishimasu
Using 'ii desu' can be mistaken for a refusal. Use 'onegaishimasu' to be clear.
iikereba → yokereba
The conditional form also uses the 'yo' stem.

Tipps

The Yo-Stem Rule

Always remember: ii -> yoku. If you are changing the word in any way, start with 'yo'.

Polite Refusal

When refusing with 'ii desu', a small hand wave (palm facing out, moving side to side) makes it much clearer.

Beyond Good

Try to learn one synonym like 'suteki' or 'subarashii' to avoid overusing 'ii' in every sentence.

Relief in 'Yokatta'

When you hear a Japanese person say 'Yokatta~' with a long final vowel, they are expressing deep relief.

Kanji Usage

While 'ii' is usually written in hiragana, 'yoi' is often written as '良い'. Learn the kanji for reading purposes.

Enthusiastic Agreement

Say 'Ii desu ne!' with a rising intonation to show you are genuinely interested in what the other person said.

The 'Ii' of Harmony

Understand that 'ii' often implies 'good for the group' or 'satisfactory for the situation'.

Yoshi the Good Boy

Associate the 'yo' stem with a character named Yoshi to remember the conjugation.

Just Right

Use 'choudo ii' for everything from shoe sizes to meeting times.

Formal Honorifics

In business, listen for 'yoroshii'. It's the same word, just wearing a tuxedo.

Einprägen

Eselsbrücke

Think of 'ii' as 'Eeee! That's good!' and remember that 'yo' is the root because 'Yo! This is good!'

Visuelle Assoziation

Imagine a giant 'thumbs up' emoji. When it's upright, it's 'ii'. When it's moving or changing (conjugating), it turns into a 'yo-yo'.

Word Web

Good Nice Okay Weather Permission Sufficient Character Relief

Herausforderung

Try to use 'ii' in three different ways today: once for weather, once for permission, and once for 'no thank you'.

Wortherkunft

Derived from the Old Japanese word 'yoshi'. In the Edo period, the attributive form 'yoki' evolved into 'yoi', and eventually 'ii' became the dominant spoken form in the Kanto (Tokyo) region.

Ursprüngliche Bedeutung: Good, excellent, or righteous.

Japonic

Kultureller Kontext

Be careful using 'ii' to describe people in a professional setting; 'yuushu' (excellent) or 'tayori ni naru' (reliable) is often more professional.

English speakers often struggle with the 'no thank you' meaning of 'ii desu' because 'It's good' usually implies acceptance in English.

The movie 'Furuki Yoki Jidai' The common exclamation 'Yoshi!' in sports The phrase 'Ii ne!' on Japanese social media buttons

Im Alltag üben

Kontexte aus dem Alltag

Weather

いい天気ですね
天気がよくなりました
いいお天気でよかった
明日もいい天気だといいな

Shopping

これでいいです
もういいです
もっといいのはありますか
いい買い物でした

Permission

入ってもいいですか
見てもいいですか
座ってもいいですか
使ってもいいですよ

Compliments

いいですね！
いい仕事ですね
いい声ですね
いいセンスですね

Advice

どうすればいいですか
寝たほうがいいですよ
言えばいいのに
行かなくていいです

Gesprächseinstiege

"今日はいい天気ですね。どこかへ行きますか？"

"最近、何かいい本を読みましたか？"

"この近くに、いいレストランを知っていますか？"

"昨日の休みは、いい日でしたか？"

"日本語の勉強にいいアプリは何ですか？"

Tagebuch-Impulse

今日あった「いいこと」を三つ書いてください。

あなたにとって「いい人」とはどんな人ですか？

最近買ったもので、一番「いい」と思ったものは何ですか？

子供の頃の「いい思い出」について教えてください。

もし魔法が使えたら、どんな「いいこと」をしたいですか？

Häufig gestellte Fragen

10 Fragen

No, 'iikunai' is grammatically incorrect. You must use 'yokunai' for the negative form of 'ii'.

It can mean both! Context is key. If offered something, it usually means 'No, I'm fine.' If agreeing to a suggestion, it means 'Yes, that's good.'

'Ii' is the common spoken form. 'Yoi' is the formal root used in writing and for all conjugations (yokunai, yokatta).

Use 'yokatta desu'. It literally means 'it was good,' but it is the standard way to express relief or happiness about a situation.

No, you should use 'jouzu' or 'tokui'. 'Ii' describes the person's character, not their skill level.

It means 'That's nice, isn't it?' and is used to agree with someone or express a bit of envy/admiration.

Yes, in very formal situations, in set phrases, or by older people. It sounds more dignified than 'ii'.

Use the [Verb-te] + mo ii desu ka? pattern. For example: 'Kite mo ii desu ka?' (May I come?).

It can mean 'just right' (positive) or 'irresponsible/half-baked' (negative). Context and tone are very important.

It's a remnant of classical Japanese where the word was 'yoshi'. The spoken form evolved to 'ii', but the grammar stuck with the 'yo' root.

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