良き
Common wordFreq.FrequencyTop 50,000
Meanings
1
goodness; the good
Used as a noun meaning 'goodness' or 'that which is good', often in philosophical or abstract contexts. Can appear in set phrases like 良きにつけ悪しきにつけ.
He believes in the goodness of people.
2
pre-noun adjectival
Pre-noun adjectival form of 良い (よい), used directly before a noun. Slightly formal or literary compared to いい. Common in set expressions like 良き日, 良き友, or 良き時代.
See also: よし
I am blessed with good friends.
Today is truly a good day.
Usage patterns
- 良き〈人〉a good (friend/mentor/etc.)
He is a good friend to me.
- 良き〈時〉a good era/time (nostalgic, literary)
My grandfather often says the Showa era was a good time.
- 良き〈事〉a good memory/tradition (literary)
This school still has a good tradition.
Expressions
- 良きことgood thing
- 良きにつけ悪しきにつけfor better or worse; in good times and bad