Translation guide
How to express enthusiastic praise or glorification in Japanese, from casual compliments to formal accolades.
To speak about someone or something with great admiration and enthusiasm.
The most direct and common verb for 'to extol' or 'to praise highly'. Used in both spoken and written contexts.
彼は彼女の勇気を褒め称えた。
He extolled her courage.
その作品は批評家たちに褒め称えられた。
The work was extolled by critics.
Means 'to praise lavishly' or 'to rave about'. Stronger than 褒める, often used for reviews or public acclaim.
新作映画は絶賛されている。
The new movie is being extolled (raved about).
彼はそのレストランを絶賛した。
He extolled the restaurant.
A formal/literary verb meaning 'to praise', 'to extol', or 'to honor'. Often used in speeches or writing.
彼の功績は永遠に称えられるだろう。
His achievements will be extolled forever.
Literally 'to praise without letting go', meaning to praise unreservedly or extol without reservation.
彼はその提案を手放しで褒めた。
He extolled the proposal without reservation.
A strong, somewhat formal word for 'enthusiastic praise' or 'extolling'. Less common in daily speech.
その小説は文壇で激賞された。
The novel was extolled in literary circles.
To praise in a way that elevates to a divine or highly exalted status.
Means 'to praise' or 'to glorify', often used in religious contexts (hymns, psalms) or poetic praise.
彼らは神を賛美する歌を歌った。
They sang songs extolling God.
To worship, revere, or extol as something sacred. Implies deep respect.
古代人は太陽を崇めていた。
Ancient people extolled (worshipped) the sun.
To talk about something with great excitement and praise, often at length.
Literally 'to speak passionately'. Used when someone extols a subject they love.
彼はよく趣味について熱く語る。
He often extols his hobbies passionately.
To argue or assert strongly, often praising a point of view. Implies vigorous extolling.
彼はその政策の重要性を力説した。
He extolled the importance of the policy.
褒める (homeru) is general 'praise'. 褒め称える (hometataeru) is 'praise highly/extol'. 絶賛する (zessan suru) is 'rave about/extol lavishly', often used in reviews. Use 褒め称える for a balanced 'extol', and 絶賛する for enthusiastic public acclaim.
There is no single Japanese word that covers all nuances of 'extolling'. Choose based on context: praising a person (褒め称える), raving about a product (絶賛する), or glorifying a deity (賛美する). Using 褒める alone may sound too weak.
その記事は新システムの利点を絶賛していた。
The article extolled the benefits of the new system.
彼女は忍耐の美徳を褒め称えた。
She extolled the virtues of patience.