Translation guide
The English word 'good' covers a wide range of meanings. This guide breaks them down into practical uses and shows how to express each naturally in Japanese.
Describing something as good in quality, pleasant, or satisfactory.
The most common and versatile word for 'good'. Used in casual and polite speech (polite form: いいです). Can describe quality, suitability, or feeling.
この映画はいいですね。
This movie is good, isn't it?
天気がいいから、散歩しましょう。
The weather is good, so let's take a walk.
The formal/written form of いい. Used in more formal contexts, writing, and fixed expressions. Note that the negative is よくない, not いくない.
それは良い考えだと思います。
I think that's a good idea.
Means 'wonderful', 'splendid', or 'excellent'. Stronger than いい. Used for things that are impressively good.
Describing a person's ability or skill.
Expressing that food or drink tastes good.
Describing something that is good for health, a purpose, or has a positive effect.
Means 'good for the body/health'. The pattern is [noun]にいい for 'good for [noun]'.
野菜は体にいいです。
Vegetables are good for you.
運動は健康にいい。
Exercise is good for your health.
Describing a person's character or actions as morally right.
Can also mean 'good' in a moral sense. Often used in phrases like 良い人 (good person).
Expressing that something is good for a purpose, time, or situation.
Means 'convenient' or 'suitable' regarding schedule or circumstances. Often used as 都合のいい.
明日は都合がいいですか？
Is tomorrow good for you?
Describing one's physical condition.
Means 'well', 'healthy', or 'energetic'. The standard way to say 'I'm good/fine' in response to 'How are you?'.
Expressing that something is acceptable or giving permission.
Used to mean 'okay', 'fine', or 'all right'. Can be a question (いい？) or statement.
English 'good' is used in many contexts where Japanese uses a more specific word. For example, 'good at' is 上手/得意, 'tastes good' is 美味しい, 'good for health' is 体にいい. Using いい in these cases can sound unnatural or vague.
彼は英語が上手です。
He is good at English. (Not 彼は英語がいいです。)
いい is the modern colloquial form, used in everyday speech. 良い is the formal/written form, used in official documents, formal speeches, and many compound words. The negative of いい is よくない (not いくない).
素晴らしい景色ですね。
What a wonderful view!
Means 'good at' or 'skilled'. Used with the particle が for the thing one is good at. Often used as 上手です or 上手な.
彼は日本語が上手です。
He is good at Japanese.
料理が上手ですね。
You're good at cooking.
Means 'good at' or 'strong point'. More personal than 上手; often used for one's own skills. Can sound boastful if used about oneself without modesty.
私は数学が得意です。
I'm good at math.
Casual word for 'good at' or 'skillful'. Also means 'delicious'. Used mainly in informal speech.
彼は歌がうまい。
He's good at singing.
The standard word for 'delicious' or 'tasty'. Used in all situations.
このラーメンは美味しい！
This ramen is good!
Casual, often used by men. Can also mean 'skillful'. Very common in informal settings.
この寿司、うまいな。
This sushi is really good.
Means 'effective'. Used for methods, medicines, strategies, etc.
この薬は風邪に効果的です。
This medicine is good for colds.
彼は良い人です。
He is a good person.
Means 'admirable', 'noble', or 'fine'. Used for respectable behavior or character.
彼の行動は立派だった。
His actions were good/admirable.
Means 'convenient' or 'handy'. Used for tools, locations, services, etc.
このアプリはとても便利です。
This app is really good/convenient.
お元気ですか？ ーはい、元気です。
How are you? - I'm good/fine.
Means 'in good condition' or 'feeling good'. Can refer to physical condition or the state of a machine.
今日は調子がいい。
I feel good today.
これでいいですか？
Is this good/okay?
もう帰っていいよ。
You can go home now. (It's good/okay to go home.)
Means 'okay', 'all right', or 'safe'. Often used to ask if something is acceptable or if someone is okay.
これで大丈夫ですか？
Is this good/okay?
This book is good. (formal/written)
This book is good. (formal/written)