お褒めの言葉
ohame no kotoba
The Japanese word for compliment is お褒めの言葉 (ohame no kotoba), which translates to an expression of praise, congratulation or respect.
お褒めの言葉 is a noun phrase that literally means words of praise. It is typically used in contexts involving receiving or expressing gratitude for praise, rather than being used as a way to actually give a compliment during casual conversation.
Meaning: expression of praise, congratulation or respect (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the honorific prefix お, the noun 褒め (praise), the particle の (possessive) and 言葉 (words).
Which one should you use?
While お褒めの言葉 refers to the words of praise themselves, other terms describe the act or intensity of praise. For example, 褒め言葉 means praise and 絶賛 refers to high praise. If you want to express that something is wonderful, you might use the phrase 素晴らしいと思います. To tell someone they are excellent, you can use あなたはとても優れています.
How does it change in a sentence?
When addressing individuals, you can use the honorific さん after a name to mean Mr. or Ms.
How do you pronounce it?
ohame no kotoba
Did you know?
- The verb used to give a compliment, 褒める, can be used for both people and pets, but using it toward a social superior can sometimes be perceived as condescending.
- In Japanese culture, the standard response to receiving お褒めの言葉 is not 'thank you' but a humble denial, often using the phrase いえいえ to deflect the praise.
- While お褒めの言葉 refers to praise, the Japanese language has a specific term, 謙遜 (kenson), for the social art of modesty and downplaying one's own achievements.
Examples in context
- その絵は上手ですね (そのえはじょうずですね)Your painting is skillful
- この料理の味は素晴らしいです (このりょうりのあじはすばらしいです)The taste of this dish is wonderful
- お褒めの言葉をいただき、ありがとうございます。O-home no kotoba o itadaki, arigatou gozaimasu.Thank you for your kind words of praise.
- 彼女はお褒めの言葉にとても喜んでいました。Kanojo wa o-home no kotoba ni totemo yorokonde imashita.She was very happy with the compliment.
- 先生からのお褒めの言葉は、とても嬉しいです。Sensei kara no o-home no kotoba wa, totemo ureshii desu.I am very happy to receive praise from my teacher.
Example conversation
Ren and Yui are talking after a presentation.
- 蓮 Renプレゼン、とても上手だったよ。Purezen, totemo jouzu datta yo.Your presentation was very good.
- 結衣 Yui本当？お褒めの言葉をありがとう。Hontou? Ohome no kotoba o arigatou.Really? Thanks for the compliment.
- 蓮 Ren自信を持っていいと思うよ。Jishin o motte ii to omou yo.I think you can be confident.
- 結衣 Yuiそう言ってもらえると心強いな。Sou itte moraeru to kokorozuyoi na.It's encouraging to hear you say that.
