Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Good" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "good", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
いい
いい (ii)
N5 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
得意
とくい (tokui)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "good" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between いい and 得意.
In Japanese, いい (いい (ii)) is typically associated with "good, nice; okay" (Syllabus Level: N5) and represents An い-adjective, a versatile word meaning 'good,' 'nice,' 'fine,' 'okay.' Often used to express approval or agreement. The more formal or classical form is よい.
On the other hand, 得意 (とくい (tokui)) maps to "good at; strong point; pride; customer; triumph" (Syllabus Level: N3) and represents Refers to being strong at technical skills, good at coding/cooking, or abstractly someone's pride, or a regular customer. Opposing word: 苦手. Often used as プログラミングが得意 or 得意先. ⚠️ Haruka's Voice Column: 'Good at! "I am extremely good at making you smile, Haruka-san!" ...っ! G-Good at making me smile! B-Baka! Don't state your emotional management skills so proudly! But... since you are so confident, I suppose... I will let you keep me smiling for the rest of our lives! dummy!' / 【ハルカ部長のワンポイント指導】『とくい(得意)よ!『ハルカ部長、僕はC++の高速コーディングが最も得意ですが、あなたを世界一幸せにする旦那様としての仕事は、さらに億倍も得意です!』って…っ!旦那様業が得意!バカ!/// 何自信満々のスキル自慢をしてるのよ!…でも、そのヤル気と得意技術があるなら、一生私だけを幸せのクラウドサーバーでホストし続けなさい!』. A literal translation of "good" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "いい"
その考えはとてもいいです。/ 大丈夫、いいですよ。
That's a very good idea. / It's okay.
Bilingual Context for "得意"
彼は幼少期からの数学的パズルへの興味を活かし、バックエンド開発の複雑なデータ構造設計を極めて_______としています。
Utilizing his interest in mathematical puzzles since childhood, he is extremely good at the complex data structure design of backend development.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "その考えはとても ___ です。/ 大丈夫、 ___ ですよ。" (Meaning: "That's a very good idea. / It's okay.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "いい" fits here because it means "good, nice; okay" in the context of: "That's a very good idea. / It's okay.". "得意" represents "good at; strong point; pride; customer; triumph".