Translation guide
The English word 'good' covers a wide range of meanings. This guide breaks them down into practical uses and shows how to express each naturally in Japanese.
Describing something as good in quality, pleasant, or satisfactory.
The most common and versatile word for 'good'. Used in casual and polite speech (polite form: いいです). Can describe quality, suitability, or feeling.
This movie is good, isn't it?
The weather is good, so let's take a walk.
The formal/written form of いい. Used in more formal contexts, writing, and fixed expressions. Note that the negative is よくない, not いくない.
Means 'wonderful', 'splendid', or 'excellent'. Stronger than いい. Used for things that are impressively good.
Describing a person's ability or skill.
Means 'good at' or 'skilled'. Used with the particle が for the thing one is good at. Often used as 上手です or 上手な.
Expressing that food or drink tastes good.
The standard word for 'delicious' or 'tasty'. Used in all situations.
Describing something that is good for health, a purpose, or has a positive effect.
Means 'good for the body/health'. The pattern is [noun]にいい for 'good for [noun]'.
Describing a person's character or actions as morally right.
Can also mean 'good' in a moral sense. Often used in phrases like 良い人 (good person).
Expressing that something is good for a purpose, time, or situation.
Means 'convenient' or 'suitable' regarding schedule or circumstances. Often used as 都合のいい.
Describing one's physical condition.
Means 'well', 'healthy', or 'energetic'. The standard way to say 'I'm good/fine' in response to 'How are you?'.
Expressing that something is acceptable or giving permission.
Used to mean 'okay', 'fine', or 'all right'. Can be a question (いい？) or statement.
English 'good' is used in many contexts where Japanese uses a more specific word. For example, 'good at' is 上手/得意, 'tastes good' is 美味しい, 'good for health' is 体にいい. Using いい in these cases can sound unnatural or vague.
He is good at English. (Not 彼は英語がいいです。)
いい is the modern colloquial form, used in everyday speech. 良い is the formal/written form, used in official documents, formal speeches, and many compound words. The negative of いい is よくない (not いくない).
I think that's a good idea.
What a wonderful view!
He is good at Japanese.
You're good at cooking.
Means 'good at' or 'strong point'. More personal than 上手; often used for one's own skills. Can sound boastful if used about oneself without modesty.
I'm good at math.
Casual word for 'good at' or 'skillful'. Also means 'delicious'. Used mainly in informal speech.
He's good at singing.
This ramen is good!
Casual, often used by men. Can also mean 'skillful'. Very common in informal settings.
This sushi is really good.
Vegetables are good for you.
Exercise is good for your health.
Means 'effective'. Used for methods, medicines, strategies, etc.
This medicine is good for colds.
彼は良い人です。
He is a good person.
Means 'admirable', 'noble', or 'fine'. Used for respectable behavior or character.
His actions were good/admirable.
Is tomorrow good for you?
Means 'convenient' or 'handy'. Used for tools, locations, services, etc.
This app is really good/convenient.
How are you? - I'm good/fine.
Means 'in good condition' or 'feeling good'. Can refer to physical condition or the state of a machine.
I feel good today.
これでいいですか？
Is this good/okay?
You can go home now. (It's good/okay to go home.)
Means 'okay', 'all right', or 'safe'. Often used to ask if something is acceptable or if someone is okay.
Is this good/okay?
This book is good. (casual)
This book is good. (formal/written)