Translation guide
An exclamation of praise or approval, often used after a performance. In Japanese, the direct loanword ブラボー is understood but not the most natural choice in everyday situations. The best expression depends on the context: formal performances, casual praise, or written comments.
To express strong admiration for a stage performance, concert, or artistic display, similar to shouting 'Bravo!' at the end of an opera.
Direct loanword from Italian/English, used in classical music, opera, ballet, etc. Understandable but can sound affected if overused in casual settings.
ブラボー！素晴らしい演奏でした。
Bravo! That was a wonderful performance.
Means 'wonderful' or 'splendid'. A natural, all-purpose exclamation of praise, not limited to performances.
素晴らしい！感動しました。
Wonderful! I was moved.
Literally 'magnificent' or 'splendid'. Often used for skillful displays, like a masterful performance. Slightly formal/literary.
見事だ！まさに名人芸ですね。
Magnificent! Truly the work of a master.
To cheer someone on or express approval in everyday situations, like a friend doing something well.
Means 'amazing' or 'great'. Very common casual exclamation for anything impressive.
すごい！よくやったね。
Amazing! You did well.
Literally 'did it!' Expresses joy at success. Equivalent to 'You did it!' or 'Hooray!'
Roughly 'Good job!' or 'Way to go!'. Often used by men or in sports settings. Can sound rough.
いいぞ！その調子だ。
Bravo! Keep it up.
Loanword from English 'nice'. Used casually for a good play or action, especially in sports or games.
To express admiration in writing, such as in online comments, reviews, or letters.
Standard written praise. Can be used alone or in a sentence.
素晴らしい！また見たいです。
Bravo! I want to see it again.
Means 'I was moved/touched'. Common in reviews to express deep appreciation.
感動した！素晴らしい舞台だった。
Bravo! It was a wonderful stage performance.
While ブラボー is the direct translation, it is strongly associated with Western classical arts. Using it for a friend's cooking or a sports play can sound pretentious or comical. Stick to すごい or やった in casual contexts.
友達の料理に「ブラボー」と言うと変です。
Saying 'bravo' for a friend's cooking is weird.
やった！優勝だ！
Bravo! We won!
Nice! That shot was great.