How to say "amazing" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 素晴らしいすばらしいi-adjectiveThe straightforward 'amazing' as 'wonderful, splendid, magnificent': a view, performance, idea or experience of genuinely high quality that you want to praise warmly.その日は実にすばらしい日だった。↗It was a really beautiful day.
- 不思議ふしぎna-adjective, nounTakes 'amazing' as 'marvelous' or 'incredible': something mysterious, strange or inexplicable that fills you with wonder — a puzzling event, an uncanny experience — rather than something excellent.
- 目覚ましいめざましいi-adjectiveCovers 'amazing' as 'remarkable' or 'striking': progress, growth or results so noticeable they command attention. It is not general-purpose praise for things you simply enjoy.
- i-adjectiveThe all-purpose 'amazing': impressive strength, great skill, something wonderful or terrific; often just an exclamation of amazement. Usually written in kana alone.
- 憎いにくいi-adjectiveAt bottom this means 'hateful, detestable', so it is only a narrow, marginal 'amazing': admiring, half-envious praise of someone's cleverness or skill, not a general word for wonderful things.
Use 「素晴らしい」 for what is simply wonderful or magnificent, 不思議 for the mysterious and incredible, 「目覚ましい」 for striking, remarkable progress, 「すごい」 for general amazement at strength or skill, and 「憎い」 only for admiring, half-envious praise of cleverness.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
- 素晴らしいすばらしいwonderful
- 不思議ふしぎwonderful
- 目覚ましいめざましいremarkable
- アメージングamazing
- ゴイスーamazing
- 驚くべきおどろくべきastonishing
- ネ申かみincredible
- ぱねぇawesome
- 驚天動地きょうてんどうちastounding
- すごいamazing (e.g. of strength)
- 憎いにくいamazing
- やばいterrific
- 神かみgod-tier
- すっごいamazing (e.g. of strength)
- 恐ろしいおそろしいsurprising
- 凄まじいすさまじいtremendous
- 激ヤバげきやばamazing
- やばすterrific
- えぐいawesome
See also
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