Translation guide
How to express the idea of 'good or bad' in Japanese, covering quality, morality, outcomes, and binary evaluation.
To ask or state whether something is good or bad in terms of quality, skill, or value.
The most direct and common way to say 'good or bad'. Used for evaluating quality, decisions, or outcomes.
この映画、いいか悪いか教えて。
Tell me if this movie is good or bad.
I don't know yet whether the result is good or bad.
A slightly more formal or written version of いいか悪いか. 良い (よい) is the formal form of いい.
この案が良いか悪いか、検討する必要がある。
We need to consider whether this plan is good or bad.
A noun meaning 'good and bad' or 'merits and demerits'. Often used in set phrases like 善し悪しを判断する (judge the good and bad).
物事には善し悪しがある。
Everything has its good and bad sides.
To talk about whether an action or person is morally good or bad.
Used for moral judgments as well as quality. 良い (よい) can mean 'morally good', and 悪い (わるい) 'morally bad'.
彼のしたことは良いか悪いか、自分で判断しなさい。
Judge for yourself whether what he did was good or bad.
A more abstract, philosophical way to say 'good or evil'. 善 (ぜん) means 'good/virtue', 悪 (あく) means 'evil/badness'.
人間の本性は善か悪かという議論は古くからある。
The debate over whether human nature is good or evil has existed since ancient times.
To express that an outcome could be good or bad, often with uncertainty.
Means 'for better or worse', 'good or bad'. Used when an outcome has both positive and negative aspects.
良くも悪くも、彼の影響は大きい。
For better or worse, his influence is significant.
Literally 'a good result or a bad result'. More explicit than いいか悪いか when focusing on outcomes.
この選択がいい結果か悪い結果かは、後になってみないとわからない。
We won't know if this choice will lead to a good or bad outcome until later.
To ask a simple yes/no question about whether something is good or bad.
A polite way to ask 'Is it good or bad?' in a direct question.
この味、いいですか、悪いですか？
Is this taste good or bad?
Casual spoken form, often used when seeking a quick judgment.
で、結局いいの？悪いの？
So, is it good or bad after all?
Simply saying 良い悪い (よいわるい) without か or も sounds unnatural. Use 良いか悪いか or 良くも悪くも.
良いか悪いか判断する。
Judge whether it's good or bad.
いい is the colloquial form of 良い (よい). In formal writing or speech, 良い is preferred. いい is more common in everyday conversation.