Translation guide
The English word "well" has many uses: as an adverb meaning "in a good way," as a discourse marker, as a noun for a water source, and more. This guide covers the most common meanings for learners.
Describing how an action is performed or a state is achieved in a positive manner.
The most common adverb for "well." Used with verbs to indicate doing something skillfully or thoroughly.
彼は英語をよく話す。
He speaks English well.
Well done.
Specifically for skill or proficiency, often used with artistic or practical abilities.
She plays the piano well.
Implies doing something successfully or smoothly, often with a nuance of cleverness or good outcome.
It went well.
Emphasizing that an action is done fully or to a great extent.
Used at the beginning of a sentence to pause, show hesitation, or introduce a statement.
Common filler word equivalent to "well..." or "um..." when thinking.
Well, what was I going to say?
Polite hesitation, often used to get someone's attention or soften a statement.
Can mean "well" in a resigned or softening sense, like "well, I suppose."
Used to continue a conversation or return to a topic.
Describing a state of being healthy or not ill.
A hole or shaft dug to obtain water, oil, etc.
The standard word for a water well.
There is an old well in the village.
Used before certain adjectives or prepositions to emphasize degree.
While よく is versatile, it doesn't cover all uses of "well." For health, use 元気; for skill, 上手に may be more precise; for discourse markers, use fillers like ええと.
よく is general-purpose. 上手に emphasizes skill, often in arts or performance. うまく implies success or smoothness, often in outcomes or problem-solving.
Well, excuse me.
Well, that might be true.
Well, see you tomorrow.
Are you well? (Are you okay?)
ずいぶん大きいですね。
It's well big, isn't it? (very big)