How to say "nice" in Japanese

• 結構けっこうJLPT N5approx.Common
  na-adjectiveCovers 'nice' in the sense of 'fine, splendid': complimenting a house, a garden, or someone's handiwork as quite good. The praise it expresses sounds warm and appreciative.
  好奇心こうきしんがお旺盛おうせいなのは大変たいへんに結構けっこうなことである。↗

  A healthy curiosity is truly a fine thing.
• おいしいJLPT N5approx.Common
  i-adjectiveThe 'nice' of taste: use it when food or drink tastes good. For anything beyond flavor — a nice person, a nice day — this is not the word you want.
  おいしい食事しょくじをありがとう。↗

  Thanks for the delicious meal.
• ナイスCommon
  na-adjective, interjectionThe loanword, used as a quick exclamation of approval — 'Nice!' — when someone pulls off a play, shot, or move. It praises a well-executed action rather than describing something as pleasant.
• 好ましいこのましいJLPT N1approx.Common
  i-adjectiveCovers 'nice' as 'desirable, agreeable': used when judging whether behavior, qualities, or results are acceptable and pleasing. Its negative 好ましくない means 'undesirable'.
  この映画えいがは、子供こどもに好このましくない影響えいきょうを与あたえるかもしれない。↗

  This movie may have an undesirable influence on children.
• 良いよいJLPT N5approx.Common
  i-adjectiveThe all-purpose word for 'good': your default when 'nice' simply means 'fine' or 'pleasant', as with a nice day, person, or opportunity.
  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.

Match the sense: 「おいしい」 for tasty food and drink, 「ナイス」 for a well-executed play, 結構 for something fine or splendid, 「好ましい」 for what is desirable or agreeable, and 「良い」 as the all-purpose 'good' when 'nice' just means 'fine'.

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

• 結構けっこうsplendid
• おいしいgood(-tasting)
• ナイスnice
• 好ましいこのましいnice
• 良いよいgood
• 気持ちいいきもちいいpleasant (of a sensation)
• 気持ちがいいきもちがいいpleasant (of a sensation)
• 素敵すてきlovely
• 親切しんせつkind
• いいgood
• 好もしいこのもしいnice
• 愛いういfine (person)
• おいちいgood(-tasting)
• よろしおす(it) is fine
• よしgood
• んまいdelicious
• 珍しいめずらしいfine
• うまいdelicious