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.
He extolled her courage.
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.
The new movie is being extolled (raved about).
He extolled the restaurant.
A formal/literary verb meaning 'to praise', 'to extol', or 'to honor'. Often used in speeches or writing.
His achievements will be extolled forever.
Literally 'to praise without letting go', meaning to praise unreservedly or extol without reservation.
He extolled the proposal without reservation.
A strong, somewhat formal word for 'enthusiastic praise' or 'extolling'. Less common in daily speech.
The novel was extolled in literary circles.
To praise in a way that elevates to a divine or highly exalted status.
To talk about something with great excitement and praise, often at length.
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.
The article extolled the benefits of the new system.
She extolled the virtues of patience.
古代人は太陽を崇めていた。
Ancient people extolled (worshipped) the sun.
He extolled the importance of the policy.