Translation guide
The English word 'generous' covers giving freely, being kind in judgment, and having ample size. In Japanese, different words are used depending on the nuance. This guide helps you choose the right expression.
Describing a person who willingly gives more than expected, often in terms of money, gifts, or assistance.
The most common and natural way to say someone is generous with money or gifts. It implies a cheerful willingness to spend or give.
彼は本当に気前がいいね。
He's really generous, isn't he?
Thank you for your generous donation.
A casual, slightly slangy term for someone who is big-hearted and generous, especially with money. Often used among friends.
今日は俺がおごるよ。太っ腹だろ？
I'll treat you today. Generous of me, right?
Means generous in a broad sense, including tolerance and magnanimity. Can be used for financial generosity but is more formal and less common in daily speech.
彼は寛大な援助を申し出た。
He offered generous assistance.
Adverbial form meaning 'generously'. Use it to describe how an action is done.
彼女は気前よくチップを渡した。
She gave a generous tip.
Showing a willingness to overlook faults, give people the benefit of the doubt, or be lenient.
The best fit for being generous in spirit, forgiving, and not strict. Works for attitudes, judgments, and treatment of others.
彼は部下の失敗に寛大だ。
He is generous about his subordinates' mistakes.
寛大な心で受け入れる。
Accept with a generous heart.
Literally 'broad-minded'. Describes a person who is tolerant, accepting, and not petty. More about personality than a specific act.
彼女は心が広いから、少しくらいの失敗は気にしない。
She's generous-minded, so she won't mind a small mistake.
Describes a calm, composed, and generous attitude, often associated with someone of high status. Somewhat literary.
彼の鷹揚な態度に感心した。
I was impressed by his generous demeanor.
Describing a portion, serving, or quantity that is more than expected or ample.
Means 'plentiful' or 'ample'. Commonly used for servings, portions, or amounts of something.
たっぷりのサラダをください。
Please give me a generous portion of salad.
彼はたっぷりの時間をかけて説明した。
He spent a generous amount of time explaining.
Specifically for food portions; means 'large serving'. Often used in restaurants.
大盛りのラーメンを注文した。
I ordered a generous bowl of ramen.
Means 'sufficient' or 'ample'. More neutral and can be used in various contexts.
十分な量の資料を用意した。
We prepared a generous amount of materials.
気前がいい is specifically about giving money or things freely. 寛大な is broader and includes being forgiving and tolerant. Don't use 気前がいい for being generous in judgment.
彼は気前がいいから、よくごちそうしてくれる。
He's generous with money, so he often treats us.
彼は寛大だから、失敗しても怒らない。
He's generous (tolerant), so he doesn't get angry even if you fail.
The English word 'generous' is often translated as 寛大な in dictionaries, but in everyday conversation about giving, 気前がいい is much more natural. Using 寛大な for a generous tipper sounds overly formal and stiff.