よくなる
yoku naru
The English phrase 'get better' is translated into Japanese as よくなる (yoku naru).
よくなる is used to describe improving in quality, such as skills or situations, as well as recovering from an illness or health issue.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the adverb よく (well/good) and the verb なる (to become), literally meaning 'to become good'.
Which one should you use?
While よくなる is often written using only hiragana, the standard way to write this in formal or printed text is to use the kanji form, 良くなる.
How does it change in a sentence?
To say that something is 'not getting better', use the negative form よくならない.
How do you pronounce it?
yoku naru
When do people say it?
When someone is unwell, Japanese speakers use specific set phrases to wish them well, ranging from standard formal wishes like お大事に to more personal, informal expressions.
Did you know?
- Japanese has several words for 'better' depending on the context, such as 改善 (kaizen) for systemic improvement, which is famous globally in business and manufacturing.
- In traditional Japanese medicine and culture, the idea of 'getting better' is often linked to 気 (ki) or energy flow, making phrases about 'recovering one's spirit' common alongside よくなる.
- While you might say 'get better' to a person in English, saying よくなる directly to a sick person can sound like you are describing a process rather than offering a wish. Instead, it is more common to use the phrase お大事に, which literally means 'take care of yourself'.
Examples in context
- ２、３日もすればよくなるよ。It will get better in two or three days.This sentence shows how to express that something will improve within a few days using よくなる.Tatoeba #235621 by e4zh1nmcz, translation #8920041 by sundown
- 時と共に、コンピューター翻訳はよくなると思う。I think machine translation will get better with time.This sentence uses よくなる to express an opinion about the improvement of machine translation over time.Tatoeba #10920744 by small_snow, translation #10919746 by CM
- 「彼はすぐよくなるでしょうか」「そう思います」"Will he get better soon?" "I think so."This sentence demonstrates a question and response regarding whether someone will recover soon using よくなる.Tatoeba #236193 by mookeee, translation #11483817 by DJ_Saidez
- 先生、お大事にTeacher, get better soon
- 吉田さん、ご快癒をお祈りしていますMr./Ms. Yoshida, I am praying for your swift recovery
- どうぞお大事になさってくださいPlease take care and get better soon
- 大丈夫になるといいねI hope you will be fine
- 早くよくなってねGet well soon
- お大事にTake care and get better
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hiroto and Himari are talking about Hiroto's cold.
- 大翔 Hiroto風邪をひいてしまいました。Kaze o hiite shimaimashita.I caught a cold.
- 陽葵 Himari大丈夫？早くよくなるといいですね。Daijōbu? Hayaku yoku naru to ii desu ne.Are you okay? I hope you get better soon.
- 大翔 Hirotoありがとうございます。ゆっくり休みます。Arigatō gozaimasu. Yukkuri yasumimasu.Thank you. I will get some good rest.
- 陽葵 Himari無理しないでくださいね。Muri shinaide kudasai ne.Please don't overdo it.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
