In 15 Seconds
- To judge or review the quality of something objectively.
- Commonly used for work performance, products, or artistic works.
- More formal and analytical than simply saying 'I like it'.
Meaning
It means to judge the value, quality, or performance of something or someone. Think of it like giving a 'grade' or a review to see how good it really is.
Key Examples
3 of 6A manager discussing a staff member's work
彼の新しいプロジェクトを高く評価しています。
I evaluate his new project very highly.
Writing a review for a movie on social media
この映画のストーリーをどう評価しますか？
How would you rate the story of this movie?
A teacher talking about a student's effort
結果だけではなく、プロセスも評価するべきだ。
We should evaluate the process, not just the results.
Cultural Background
In Japan, 'reading the air' is vital, but `評価をする` provides a structured way to give feedback. It is the backbone of the 'ranking culture' seen in everything from ramen shops to corporate hierarchies. Interestingly, Japanese reviews tend to be very detailed and critical compared to other cultures.
The 'High' Secret
In Japanese, you don't 'strongly' evaluate something; you 'highly' evaluate it using `高く`. It sounds much more natural.
Don't be a Robot
Avoid using this for your partner's cooking or a friend's outfit unless you are joking. It sounds like you're their boss, not their friend!
In 15 Seconds
- To judge or review the quality of something objectively.
- Commonly used for work performance, products, or artistic works.
- More formal and analytical than simply saying 'I like it'.
What It Means
評価をする is all about assessing worth. You are looking at something and deciding its value. It is like being a judge on a talent show. You look at the facts and give a score. It is more formal than just saying you 'like' something.
How To Use It
You usually place the object you are judging before the phrase. Use the particle を to connect them. For example, 作品を評価する means 'to evaluate a work of art.' You can also add adverbs like 高く (highly) to say you really liked it. It is a very flexible 'do' verb.
When To Use It
Use this in professional settings for performance reviews. It is perfect for writing online reviews for a new cafe. You will hear it in schools when teachers grade assignments. Use it when you want to sound objective and thoughtful. It shows you are thinking deeply about the quality.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this for simple, personal feelings. If your friend makes you tea, do not say you are 'evaluating' it. That sounds like you are a cold food critic! Avoid it in very casual, emotional moments. Stick to 好き (like) or いい (good) for those times. Using it for a first date might make you sound like a robot.
Cultural Background
Japan has a massive culture of reviews and rankings. Websites like Tabelog or Amazon Japan are incredibly influential. People often check the 評価 (rating) before trying anything new. There is a strong social desire to reach a consensus on quality. Being 'highly evaluated' by others is a huge point of pride in Japanese society.
Common Variations
You will often see 高い評価を得る, which means 'to receive a high evaluation.' Another common one is 自己評価, which is 'self-evaluation.' In business, you might hear 人事評価 for staff performance reviews. Adding 〜しにくい makes it 評価しにくい, meaning 'hard to judge.'
Usage Notes
This phrase is neutral to formal. It is safe for work and for discussing products or media, but use it sparingly in intimate personal relationships to avoid sounding cold.
The 'High' Secret
In Japanese, you don't 'strongly' evaluate something; you 'highly' evaluate it using `高く`. It sounds much more natural.
Don't be a Robot
Avoid using this for your partner's cooking or a friend's outfit unless you are joking. It sounds like you're their boss, not their friend!
The 5-Star Trap
Japanese reviewers are notoriously stingy with 5 stars. A 3.5 rating on Tabelog is actually considered a very good restaurant!
Examples
6彼の新しいプロジェクトを高く評価しています。
I evaluate his new project very highly.
Using 'highly' shows strong professional approval.
この映画のストーリーをどう評価しますか？
How would you rate the story of this movie?
A common way to ask for someone's opinion on quality.
結果だけではなく、プロセスも評価するべきだ。
We should evaluate the process, not just the results.
This emphasizes looking at the whole picture.
あの店のラーメン、ネットでの評価は高いよ！
That shop's ramen has a high rating online!
Uses the noun form to talk about public opinion.
私の料理を厳しく評価しないでよ！
Don't judge my cooking too harshly!
Using 'harshly' adds a playful, defensive tone.
わが社は市場で安定した評価を得ています。
Our company has earned a stable reputation in the market.
Here, it refers to market reputation and standing.
Test Yourself
Choose the correct particle to complete the sentence: 'I evaluate the results.'
結果 ___ 評価する。
The object being evaluated is marked with the object particle 'を'.
How do you say 'highly evaluate'?
___ 評価する。
'高く' (highly/tallly) is the standard adverb used with evaluation in Japanese.
🎉 Score: /2
Visual Learning Aids
Formality of Giving Feedback
Just saying it's good or bad.
いいと思う (I think it's good)
Standard review or opinion.
評価をする (To evaluate)
Official corporate or academic review.
査定を行う (To conduct an assessment)
Where to use 評価をする
App Store
Rating an app
Office
Yearly performance review
Art Gallery
Judging a painting
School
Grading a presentation
Practice Bank
2 exercises結果 ___ 評価する。
The object being evaluated is marked with the object particle 'を'.
___ 評価する。
'高く' (highly/tallly) is the standard adverb used with evaluation in Japanese.
🎉 Score: /2
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNot exactly. While 'liking' is an emotion, 評価をする is an assessment of quality. You can evaluate something as high quality even if you don't personally like it.
Yes, but usually in a professional or skill-based context. For example, 彼の能力を評価する (I evaluate his ability).
Yes, if you are talking about a movie, a game, or a product. For example, あのゲーム、評価高いね！ (That game has high ratings!).
They are almost identical. 評価する is the verb form, while 評価をする emphasizes the 'act' of doing the evaluation. Both are common.
You can say 低い評価 (low evaluation) or 悪い評価 (bad evaluation). 評価が低い is the most common way to say something is poorly rated.
If you are talking to the chef, yes. But if you are talking to a friend about the restaurant's reputation, it is perfectly fine.
Yes, that is called 自己評価 (self-evaluation). It's a standard part of Japanese business and school life.
It means 'over-evaluation' or 'overrated.' For example, 彼は過大評価されている (He is overrated).
Constantly! Scouts and coaches 評価をする players' skills and potential all the time.
There isn't a direct single-word opposite, but you could use 無視する (to ignore/disregard) or simply say 評価しない (to not evaluate/value).
Related Phrases
判断する
To judge or decide
レビューを書く
To write a review
採点する
To grade or mark (like a test)
評判がいい
To have a good reputation
