Translation guide
The English word "well" has many uses: as an adverb meaning "in a good way," as a discourse marker, as a noun for a water source, and more. This guide covers the most common meanings for learners.
Describing how an action is performed or a state is achieved in a positive manner.
The most common adverb for "well." Used with verbs to indicate doing something skillfully or thoroughly.
He speaks English well.
よくできました。
Well done.
Specifically for skill or proficiency, often used with artistic or practical abilities.
彼女はピアノを上手に弾く。
She plays the piano well.
Implies doing something successfully or smoothly, often with a nuance of cleverness or good outcome.
うまくいった。
It went well.
Emphasizing that an action is done fully or to a great extent.
Also used for "thoroughly," often with verbs like 知る (to know) or 考える (to think).
彼のことはよく知っている。
I know him well.
よく考えてください。
Please think about it well.
Means "sufficiently" or "enough," often used in formal contexts.
十分に準備した。
I prepared well.
Used at the beginning of a sentence to pause, show hesitation, or introduce a statement.
Common filler word equivalent to "well..." or "um..." when thinking.
ええと、何を言おうとしたんだっけ。
Well, what was I going to say?
Polite hesitation, often used to get someone's attention or soften a statement.
あのう、すみません。
Well, excuse me.
Can mean "well" in a resigned or softening sense, like "well, I suppose."
まあ、そうかもしれない。
Well, that might be true.
Used to continue a conversation or return to a topic.
Often used as "well then" to move on or conclude.
では、始めましょう。
Well then, let's begin.
Casual version of では, common in spoken Japanese.
じゃあ、また明日。
Well, see you tomorrow.
Describing a state of being healthy or not ill.
A hole or shaft dug to obtain water, oil, etc.
The standard word for a water well.
村に古い井戸がある。
There is an old well in the village.
Used before certain adjectives or prepositions to emphasize degree.
While よく is versatile, it doesn't cover all uses of "well." For health, use 元気; for skill, 上手に may be more precise; for discourse markers, use fillers like ええと.
よく is general-purpose. 上手に emphasizes skill, often in arts or performance. うまく implies success or smoothness, often in outcomes or problem-solving.
大丈夫ですか？
Are you well? (Are you okay?)
ずいぶん大きいですね。
It's well big, isn't it? (very big)