良い・好い・善い・佳い・吉い・宜い|よいyoi[1]atamadaka (head-high)
えいeiok
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Which spelling to use
良い良い is the most common written form and the recommended choice for beginners; use it when you need to write this word.
好い好い is less common than 良い and is another kanji-and-kana written form. Beginners should use 良い instead.
善い善い is less common than 良い and 好い and is another kanji-and-kana written form. Beginners should use 良い instead.
佳い佳い is a rarely used kanji-and-kana written form of this word. Beginners should use 良い instead.
吉い吉い is a rarely used kanji-and-kana written form of this word. Beginners should use 良い instead.
宜い宜い is a rarely used kanji-and-kana written form of this word. Beginners should use 良い instead.
Definitions
- i-adjectivegood; excellent; fine; nice; pleasant; agreeablealso いい (all senses)
- i-adjectivesufficient; enough; ready; prepared
- i-adjectiveprofitable (deal, business offer, etc.); beneficial
- i-adjectiveOK; all right; fine; no problemas て(も)良い, と(も)良い, etc.; indicates permission or compromise
- suffix, i-adjectiveeasy to ...after the -masu stem of a verb
Conjugation
| Plain form | 良い（よい） |
|---|---|
| Polite (desu) | 良いです（よいです） |
| Negative (kunai) | 良くない（よくない） |
| polite (ku arimasen) | 良くありません（よくありません） |
| Past (katta) | 良かった（よかった） |
| Past negative (kunakatta) | 良くなかった（よくなかった） |
| Te form (kute) | 良くて（よくて） |
| Adverbial (ku) | 良く（よく） |
| Conditional (kereba) | 良ければ（よければ） |
| kattara | 良かったら（よかったら） |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
Synonyms & antonyms
- SynonymいいCasualColloquial form of 「よい」; everyday speech prefers 「いい」, while 「よい」 sounds more proper. All inflected forms use the よ- stem, as in 「よかった」「よくない」; never 「いかった」.
- Synonym良好りょうこうWrittenSino-Japanese word for evaluating states, results or relations, as in 「経過良好」「良好な関係」; more formal than 「よい」.
- SynonymグッドCasualLoanword seen mostly in compounds like 「グッドタイミング」「グッドニュース」 or as an exclamation; lighter and more casual than 「いい」.
- SynonymナイスCasualLoanword used mostly as an exclamation praising a well-executed move, as in 「ナイスショット」; also as a predicate, 「ナイスですね」. Lighter than 「いい」.
- SynonymグーCasualCasual slang for a thumbs-up-style 'good', as in 「味はグー」; sounds slightly dated. Also the rock sign in rock-paper-scissors.
- SynonymベストNeutralMeans 'best', as in 「ベストを尽くす」 — a superlative. 「よい」 only says something is good, with no sense of 'most'.
- SynonymよろしいFormalA formal variant of 「よい」, mostly for permission or inquiries, as in 「よろしいですか」; used with superiors and customers.
- Synonym結構けっこうNeutralCan mean fine or sufficient, and often serves as a polite refusal, as in 「もう結構です」; more formal than 「いい」.
- RelatedベストNeutralMeans 'best', as in 「ベストを尽くす」 — a superlative. 「よい」 only says something is good, with no sense of 'most'.
- Related素敵すてきNeutralPraises people, things or occasions as charming and appealing, as in 「素敵な服」; carries emotional color and is more specific than 「よい」.
- RelatedきれいNeutralCovers looking pretty or being clean, focusing on appearance or tidiness, as in 「綺麗な部屋」; 「よい」 is a general-purpose 'good'.
- Related心地よいここちよいNeutralDescribes a physically or mentally comfortable, pleasant feeling, as in 「心地よい風」「心地よい関係」.
- Related好ましいこのましいWrittenSuggests something creates a favorable impression or meets expectations, as in 「好ましくない影響」; evaluative and leaning written.
- Related快いこころよいWrittenDescribes something that feels pleasant or refreshing; also doing something readily, as in 「快く引き受ける」. Leans written.
- RelatedおいしいNeutralRefers specifically to good taste, and by extension to a profitable, attractive deal, as in 「おいしい話」; 「よい」 doesn't single out taste.
- Related素晴らしいすばらしいNeutralMeans so good it draws admiration — a far higher degree than 「よい」, as in 「素晴らしい景色」.
- RelatedうまいCasualCovers skillful technique or good taste, as in 「歌がうまい」; fairly casual. 「よい」 doesn't specifically praise skill or flavor.
- Related楽しいたのしいNeutralMeans fun and enjoyable — goodness of mood, as in 「楽しい旅行」; not used to judge quality.
- RelatedかわいいNeutralEndearing and lovable, often but not only of small things, with the focus on looks or manner; 「よい」 carries no such nuance of affection.
- Related立派りっぱNeutralPraises something as splendid, impressive or morally admirable, as in 「立派な建物」「立派な人」; a stronger rating than 「よい」.
- Related楽しげたのしげNeutralDescribes someone looking happy, as in 「楽しげに話す」; it depicts another person's demeanor, not a good/bad judgment.
- RelatedありがたいNeutralExpresses gratitude for someone's kindness or relief that something happened, as in 「手伝ってもらえてありがたい」; carries a thankful nuance.
- Related嬉しいうれしいNeutralVoices the speaker's or subject's joy, as in 「会えて嬉しい」; 「よい」 evaluates whether something is good.
- Related情け深いなさけぶかいWrittenOverlaps only in the sense of good character: compassionate and generous toward people, as in 「情け深い人」.
- Related麗しいうるわしいWrittenLiterary, elegant word for beautiful looks or scenery, or moving bonds like 「麗しい友情」; rare in daily conversation.
- Antonym悪いわるいNeutralThe all-round opposite of 「よい」: bad in quality, condition or conduct.
- Antonym邪悪じゃあくWrittenOpposes 「よい」 only in its moral sense: wicked at heart, a very strong word seen mostly in writing and stories.
For everyday 'good', say 「いい」; use 「よい」 in writing or when conjugating (「よかった」「よくない」), and 「よろしい」 for formal permission with superiors or customers. For strong praise pick 「素晴らしい」 or 「立派」; for taste 「おいしい」 (or casual 「うまい」); for looks 「綺麗」; for charm 「素敵」; for fun 「楽しい」. 「ベスト」 adds 'best'. Casual exclamations: 「グッド」「ナイス」「グー」. 「結構」 doubles as a polite refusal. Written evaluative words: 「良好」「好ましい」「快い」「麗しい」. The opposite is 「悪い」.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese definitions
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
See also
