Phrase in 30 Seconds
Use this simple phrase to express approval or satisfaction with an item, situation, or idea.
- Means: A polite way to say 'This is good' or 'I like this'.
- Used in: Shopping, restaurants, or when agreeing with a suggestion.
- Don't confuse: '良い' (yoi/ii) with '美味しい' (oishii) when specifically talking about food taste.
Explication à ton niveau :
Signification
Stating that something is of good quality or desirable.
Contexte culturel
Politeness is key. Using 'desu' shows respect to the person you are talking to. Feedback is often more direct and enthusiastic compared to the Japanese style. Similar to Japan, social hierarchy dictates the level of politeness used. Modesty is highly valued; praising one's own items is often avoided.
The 'ne' particle
Always add 'ne' when you want to sound friendly and invite the other person to agree with you.
Don't over-praise
In Japan, being too enthusiastic can sometimes come across as insincere. Keep it calm.
The 'ne' particle
Always add 'ne' when you want to sound friendly and invite the other person to agree with you.
Don't over-praise
In Japan, being too enthusiastic can sometimes come across as insincere. Keep it calm.
Use 'ii' for speaking
While 'yoi' is correct, 'ii' sounds much more natural in daily conversation.
Context matters
If someone gives you a gift, saying 'kore wa yoi desu' might sound like you are evaluating the gift's quality. Use 'arigatou' instead.
Teste-toi
Fill in the blank with the correct particle.
これ___良いです。
'Wa' is the topic particle used to introduce the subject.
Which is the most polite way to say 'This is good'?
Choose the best option.
Adding 'desu' makes the sentence polite.
Complete the dialogue.
A: このペンはどうですか？ B: _____
The question asks for an opinion on the pen, so 'This is good' is the appropriate response.
Match the situation to the correct phrase.
You are at a restaurant and like the food. What do you say?
While 'This is good' is okay, 'Delicious' is the specific term for food.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
5 exercicesこれ___良いです。
'Wa' is the topic particle used to introduce the subject.
Choose the best option.
Adding 'desu' makes the sentence polite.
A: このペンはどうですか？ B: _____
The question asks for an opinion on the pen, so 'This is good' is the appropriate response.
You are at a restaurant and like the food. What do you say?
While 'This is good' is okay, 'Delicious' is the specific term for food.
🎉 Score : /5
Questions fréquentes
12 questionsNo, it is for objects or situations. For people, use 'ii hito' (good person).
No, it is polite. Just add 'ne' to make it softer.
It is a standard feature of Japanese phonology where high vowels between voiceless consonants are devoiced.
You can, but 'oishii' is much more natural.
They are the same word, but 'ii' is for speech and 'yoi' is for writing.
Use 'yokatta desu'.
It is standard polite Japanese. It is perfect for most situations.
Yes, it is very common in professional emails.
Use 'kore wa yoku nai desu'.
Only if you say it without a smile or in a flat tone.
Yes, but characters often use the casual 'ii!' instead.
Yes, 'kore wa yoi sabisu desu' works well.
Expressions liées
良いですね
builds onThat is good, isn't it?
美味しいです
specialized formIt is delicious.
素晴らしいです
similarIt is wonderful.
最高です
similarIt is the best.
Où l'utiliser
Shopping
Clerk: いらっしゃいませ。これはいかがですか？
You: これは良いですね。買います。
Restaurant
Friend: この店、どう？
You: これは良いですね！
Work Meeting
Boss: 新しい計画案です。
You: これは良い案ですね。
Social Media
Friend: （写真の投稿）
You: これ、いい！
Travel
Guide: この景色はどうですか？
You: これは良い景色ですね。
Dating
Date: この音楽、好き？
You: はい、これは良いですね。
Mémorise-le
Moyen mnémotechnique
Imagine you are a judge holding a sign that says 'GOOD'. You point at the item and say 'Kore wa yoi desu!'
Association visuelle
A bright, glowing object in front of you. You are nodding your head in approval while pointing at it with both hands.
Rhyme
Kore wa yoi, it brings me joy!
Story
You walk into a shop. You see a beautiful watch. You point at it and say 'Kore wa yoi desu'. The clerk smiles and nods. You feel happy because you successfully communicated your approval.
In Other Languages
Similar to 'C'est bon' in French or 'Das ist gut' in German. It is a universal way to express satisfaction.
Word Web
Défi
For the next 24 hours, point at three things you like and say 'Kore wa yoi desu' to yourself.
Review in 1 day, 3 days, 1 week, and 1 month.
Prononciation
The 'r' is a flap, like the 'tt' in 'better'.
Standard 'w' sound.
Two syllables: yo-i.
The 'u' is often silent.
Spectre de formalité
これは良いでございます。 (General approval)
これは良いです。 (General approval)
これ、いい！ (General approval)
これ、最高！ (General approval)
The word 'yoi' comes from ancient Japanese roots describing something that is 'fitting' or 'proper'. Over centuries, it evolved into the standard adjective for 'good'.
Le savais-tu ?
The 'ii' variant is actually a contraction of 'yoi' that became so common it is now the standard in spoken Japanese.
Notes culturelles
Politeness is key. Using 'desu' shows respect to the person you are talking to.
“これは良いですね。”
Feedback is often more direct and enthusiastic compared to the Japanese style.
“This is great!”
Similar to Japan, social hierarchy dictates the level of politeness used.
“이것은 좋아요.”
Modesty is highly valued; praising one's own items is often avoided.
“这很好。”
Amorces de conversation
What do you think of this book?
How is the weather today?
What do you think of this new plan?
Do you like this music?
Erreurs courantes
これは美味しいです (when talking about a non-food item)
これは良いです
L1 Interference
これは良いです (to a superior in a very casual way)
これは良いですね
L1 Interference
これ良いです (missing 'wa')
これは良いです
L1 Interference
これは良いでした
これは良かったです
L1 Interference
In Other Languages
Esto es bueno
Japanese requires the topic particle 'wa' while Spanish does not.
C'est bon
French 'bon' can also mean 'tasty', whereas Japanese 'yoi' cannot.
Das ist gut
German 'gut' is more versatile and can be used in more contexts than 'yoi'.
これは良いです
N/A
هذا جيد (Hadha jayyid)
Arabic has gendered adjectives, unlike Japanese.
这很好 (Zhè hěn hǎo)
The inclusion of 'hen' is mandatory in Chinese, while 'totemo' is optional in Japanese.
이것은 좋아요 (Igeoseun joayo)
Korean uses honorific suffixes that are more complex than the Japanese 'desu'.
Isto é bom
Portuguese distinguishes between 'isto' (close to speaker) and 'isso' (close to listener), similar to Japanese 'kore' and 'sore'.
Spotted in the Real World
“Kore wa ii!”
When she finds a good spot to play.
Facile à confondre
They mean the same thing but have different grammatical rules.
Use 'yoi' in formal writing and 'ii' in casual speech.
Learners mix up 'good' and 'like'.
'Yoi' describes the object, 'suki' describes your feeling.
Questions fréquentes (12)
No, it is for objects or situations. For people, use 'ii hito' (good person).
usage contextsNo, it is polite. Just add 'ne' to make it softer.
usage contextsIt is a standard feature of Japanese phonology where high vowels between voiceless consonants are devoiced.
grammar mechanicsYou can, but 'oishii' is much more natural.
common mistakesThey are the same word, but 'ii' is for speech and 'yoi' is for writing.
grammar mechanicsUse 'yokatta desu'.
grammar mechanicsIt is standard polite Japanese. It is perfect for most situations.
basic understandingYes, it is very common in professional emails.
usage contextsUse 'kore wa yoku nai desu'.
grammar mechanicsOnly if you say it without a smile or in a flat tone.
practical tipsYes, but characters often use the casual 'ii!' instead.
cultural usageYes, 'kore wa yoi sabisu desu' works well.
usage contexts
