Translation guide
The English word 'amazing' expresses strong admiration, surprise, or excellence. In Japanese, the most common equivalent is すごい (sugoi), but depending on context, other words like 素晴らしい (subarashii) or 驚くべき (odorokubeki) may be more appropriate. This guide covers natural ways to express 'amazing' in various situations.
Expressing that something is impressive, great, or wonderful in a casual, everyday sense.
The most common and versatile word for 'amazing'. Used in casual conversation for anything impressive, surprising, or excellent. Can be used as an exclamation by itself.
すごい！
Amazing!
彼の日本語はすごいね。
His Japanese is amazing, isn't it?
A very casual, masculine, and slangy version of すごい. Often used among close friends. Not appropriate in formal settings.
すげー！やったな！
Amazing! You did it!
A more formal and elegant word for 'wonderful' or 'splendid'. Suitable for both spoken and written contexts, and can be used in polite speech.
素晴らしい景色ですね。
The scenery is amazing, isn't it?
Literally 'amazingly good', this phrase is a common way to say something is amazing in a positive sense. It's slightly more descriptive than just すごい.
この映画、すごくいいよ。
This movie is amazing.
Emphasizing that something is so surprising it's hard to believe.
Means 'astonishing' or 'surprising'. Often used in more formal or written contexts to describe facts or achievements that are amazing in a shocking way.
彼の成功は驚くべきものだ。
His success is amazing (astonishing).
Literally 'unbelievable'. Used when something is so amazing it's hard to believe. Common in casual speech.
信じられない！本当にやったの？
Amazing! Did you really do that?
Means 'to be surprised'. Often used in the phrase びっくりするほど (bikkuri suru hodo) meaning 'amazingly' or 'surprisingly'.
びっくりするほど上手だね。
You're amazingly good (surprisingly skilled).
Praising someone's exceptional ability or performance.
Means 'skillful' or 'good at'. When used with an intensifier like すごく, it conveys 'amazingly good'.
彼はピアノがすごく上手だ。
He is amazingly good at piano.
Means 'genius-level' or 'brilliant'. Used to describe amazing talent that seems innate.
Literally 'amazing arm', meaning exceptional skill or ability, often used for professionals like chefs or craftsmen.
Describing an experience that is overwhelmingly positive or impressive.
Means 'the best' or 'greatest'. Often used to describe an amazing experience, like a trip or a meal.
この旅行は最高だった！
This trip was amazing!
Means 'lovely', 'wonderful', or 'fantastic'. Often used for things that are aesthetically pleasing or heartwarming.
Means 'moving' or 'touching'. Used when an experience is emotionally amazing, like a performance or story.
Emphasizing a large quantity or extreme degree.
An intensified version of すごい, meaning 'tremendous' or 'incredible'. Used for both positive and negative extremes.
ものすごい人出だった。
There was an amazing number of people.
Means 'outrageous' or 'absurd', but can be used positively to mean 'amazing' in the sense of extraordinary. Often used in the phrase とんでもないこと (an amazing thing).
Literally 'different order of magnitude', meaning something is on an entirely different (amazing) level.
すごい is casual and can be used for both positive and negative surprises (e.g., すごい雨 'amazing rain' meaning heavy rain). 素晴らしい is always positive and more formal. In polite conversation, 素晴らしい is safer when you want to express admiration without sounding too casual.
素晴らしいお仕事ですね。
That's amazing work.
すごい仕事だね。
That's amazing work. (casual)
While すごい is extremely common, overusing it can make you sound like a child or someone with a limited vocabulary. In formal writing or speeches, vary your expressions with words like 驚くべき, 素晴らしい, or 見事な (migotona, 'splendid').
すごく is the adverbial form of すごい and means 'amazingly' or 'very'. It's a very common intensifier in casual speech: すごく楽しい (amazingly fun), すごく美味しい (amazingly delicious).
Her acting is amazing (genius).
あのシェフはすご腕だ。
That chef is amazing (has amazing skills).
Thank you for the amazing present.
That movie was amazing (emotionally moving).
とんでもない才能だ。
That's an amazing talent.
彼の知識はけた違いだ。
His knowledge is amazing (on another level).