How to say "excellent" in Japanese

• 良いよいJLPT N5approx.Common
  i-adjectiveThe all-purpose word for 'good'; it covers 'excellent' only in the mild sense of 'very good' or 'fine'. Use it for ordinary approval, not when you want to stress that something stands out.
  私にはよい友達ともだちが数すう人にんいる。↗

  I have several good friends.
• えらいJLPT N2approx.Common
  i-adjectivePraises a person's conduct, effort, or achievement as admirable — the 'well done, great job' sense of 'excellent'. Typical when encouraging or complimenting someone, especially a child, for something they did.
  私はあの人ひとが将来しょうらい偉えらくなると見取みとった。↗

  I discerned the potential of great things in him.
• 優秀ゆうしゅうJLPT N3approx.Common
  na-adjective, nounDescribes a person, or their ability and work, as outstanding or superior — an excellent student, a brilliant employee. This is the word for 'excellent' when the point is high calibre or competence.
  彼女かのじょは作文さくぶんが優秀ゆうしゅうだ。↗

  She is excellent in composition.
• 見事みごとJLPT N3approx.Common
  na-adjective, adverbDescribes a performance, feat, or result that is splendid or magnificent — something executed impressively well. Fits 'an excellent performance' or 'a magnificent job' where you admire how it was done.
  彼かれのスイングは実じつに見事みごとだ。↗

  He has a perfect swing.
• 秀逸しゅういつCommon
  na-adjective, nounCalls a work, idea, or piece of writing superb or first-rate; typical in reviews and commentary. Choose it when 'excellent' evaluates the quality of something produced rather than a person's general ability.

Use 「良い」 for mild 'very good', 「えらい」 to praise someone's effort or conduct, 優秀 for outstanding ability, 見事 for splendidly done performances or results, and 秀逸 for first-rate works or ideas.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 良いよいgood
• えらいgreat
• 優秀ゆうしゅうsuperior
• 見事みごとsplendid
• 秀逸しゅういつexcellent
• 抜群ばつぐんoutstanding
• 良好りょうこうgood
• 上等じょうとうsuperior
• 上々じょうじょうthe very best
• 優良ゆうりょうsuperior
• 結構けっこうsplendid
• 出色しゅっしょくoutstanding
• いいgood
• エクセレントexcellent
• 優ゆうExcellent (grade)
• トレビアンexcellent
• 好個こうこexcellent
• 大得意だいとくいexcellent
• いちvery
• 佳かbeautiful
• よしgood
• 優れたすぐれたgreat
• 精良せいりょうsuperior
• 卓越したたくえつしたoutstanding
• 卓然たくぜんoutstanding
• 黄金おうごんgolden
• 満点まんてんperfect
• 何よりなによりbest
• 究竟くっきょうexcellent
• 重畳ちょうじょうexcellent
• 太ふとgrand
• なかなかexcellent
• 玉たまprecious