Translation guide
Expressing admiration in Japanese depends on what you admire and the situation. Common words include 尊敬 (respect for people), 感心 (being impressed by actions/attitudes), and 憧れ (longing admiration). Direct translations like 'I admire you' can sound awkward; choose the right nuance.
Expressing deep respect for a person, often someone senior or accomplished.
Reacting to something praiseworthy someone did, like a child's good behavior or a colleague's clever solution.
Admiring someone or something you wish to be like or have, often with a sense of longing.
Expressing aesthetic admiration, like for a beautiful view or artwork.
尊敬 is deep respect for someone's character/achievements. 憧れ is longing admiration, often for someone you wish to be like. 感心 is being impressed by a specific action or attitude. Using the wrong one can change the nuance significantly.
Saying '私はあなたを尊敬しています' can sound stiff or overly formal in casual conversation. Often, it's more natural to express admiration indirectly or use specific phrases like 'すごいですね' (That's amazing).
I've always admired her dedication.
She is a teacher I admire.
彼の努力には敬服します。
I admire his efforts.
Admiration for someone's actions or attitude, often with a nuance of being impressed. Can sound slightly patronizing if used towards superiors.
I admired his courage.
I was impressed by the child's politeness.
Casual way to say you think someone/something is amazing. Very common in conversation.
I think his paintings are amazing.
Formal praise/admiration, often used in official contexts or media.
His achievements were widely admired.
Admiration mixed with longing, like looking up to a role model or dreaming of a lifestyle. Often used with の or する.
She is the person I admire.
I admire (and long for) city life.
Verb form: to admire/long for. Commonly used for people, lifestyles, or professions.
When I was a child, I admired pilots.
Admiration/wonder at something beautiful or impressive. Often used in phrases like 感嘆の声 (cries of admiration).
They expressed admiration for the painting.
To be moved/touched by beauty. More emotional than just admiration.
I was moved by the beauty of the sunset.
He is a writer I greatly admire.