Translation guide
How to express praise, congratulations, or approval in Japanese, depending on the context and relationship.
The speaker wants to compliment someone on a job well done, a success, or a good outcome.
A standard, polite way to say 'well done' for a completed task or good work. Often used by teachers or superiors.
宿題を全部終わらせたの？よくできました！
You finished all your homework? Well done!
Literally 'you must be tired', but used to acknowledge someone's effort and hard work. Very common in workplaces and after any shared activity.
今日のプレゼン、お疲れ様。とても良かったよ。
Well done on today's presentation. It was really good.
A more casual, direct 'well done' or 'good job'. Used among friends, family, or to someone of equal or lower status.
試験に合格したんだって？よくやった！
I heard you passed the exam? Well done!
Means 'wonderful' or 'splendid'. Can be used as an exclamation to praise an achievement.
素晴らしい！君の努力が実を結んだね。
Well done! Your hard work has paid off.
A somewhat formal or dramatic way to say 'well done' or 'bravo'. Often used for impressive performances or skillful achievements.
お見事！その難しい技を完璧に決めたね。
Well done! You executed that difficult move perfectly.
The speaker wants to congratulate someone on a personal achievement like a graduation, promotion, or award.
The standard 'congratulations'. Can be made more polite by adding ございます (おめでとうございます).
大学合格おめでとう！よく頑張ったね。
Congratulations on getting into university! Well done.
The speaker wants to affirm that someone did the right thing or made a good choice.
Casual 'good job' or 'nice one'. Very common in daily conversation to show approval.
そのアイデア、いいね！採用しよう。
That idea is well done! Let's use it.
Loanword from English 'nice'. Used casually to mean 'well done' or 'good job', often in sports or informal settings.
ナイスシュート！
Nice shot! Well done!
The speaker is an adult praising a child for good behavior, effort, or a small achievement.
Means 'you're great' or 'well done' in a warm, encouraging tone. Commonly used with children.
一人で靴が履けたの？えらいね！
You put on your shoes by yourself? Well done!
Literally 'you did it skillfully'. Used to praise a child's performance or creation.
お絵かき、上手にできたね！
You did a great job on your drawing! Well done!
The speaker wants to compliment the chef on a dish that is cooked perfectly, especially meat.
Means 'it's cooked just right'. Used to compliment the doneness of meat or fish.
このステーキ、いい焼き加減ですね。
This steak is well done. (in the sense of perfectly cooked, not necessarily 'well-done' doneness)
Katakana loanword for 'well-done' steak. Only used for meat doneness.
ステーキはウェルダンでお願いします。
I'd like my steak well done, please.
The English phrase 'well done' does not have a single direct equivalent in Japanese. The appropriate expression depends heavily on the context: praising effort, congratulating success, approving an action, or describing food. Using a phrase like よくやった in a formal setting can sound rude, while お疲れ様 to a child might be confusing.
よくできました focuses on the quality of the result, often used by teachers or evaluators. お疲れ様 acknowledges the effort and hardship, and is used more broadly among peers and in workplaces to show mutual appreciation.
プレゼンが成功してよかったね。お疲れ様。
I'm glad the presentation went well. Well done (you worked hard).
プレゼンの内容が素晴らしかった。よくできました。
The content of the presentation was excellent. Well done (good result).
Polite form of congratulations. Appropriate for formal situations or when speaking to superiors.
ご昇進おめでとうございます。本当によくやられましたね。
Congratulations on your promotion. You've really done well.