よくなっている
yoku natte iru
The Japanese phrase for "getting better" is よくなっている (yoku natte iru).
よくなっている is used to describe a continuous process of improvement that is currently in progress. Depending on the context, Japanese speakers may use more specific formal terms: 回復する (kaifuku suru) is used for recovering from an illness or injury, while 上達する (jōtatsu suru) refers to making progress in skills or abilities. For general enhancement, personal growth or professional development, the term 向上する (kōjō suru) is often used.
Which one should you use?
The form よくなっている emphasizes that the improvement is a continuous process happening right now. In contrast, the base form よくなる simply means "to become better".
How does it change in a sentence?
To change the tense or meaning, you can use different variations: use よくなりました to express that something has already finished getting better (past tense) and add と to the dictionary form よくなると to create a conditional meaning such as "if" or "when" it gets better.
How do you pronounce it?
yoku natte iru
Did you know?
- While よくなっている expresses improvement, Japanese people often use おかげさまで (okagesama de) when answering if they are getting better. This phrase literally means 'thanks to you' or 'thanks to the gods' and is used even if the other person did nothing to help.
- When discussing health, Japanese often uses the phrase 快方に向かう (kaihō ni mukau), which describes recovery as a physical destination a person is traveling toward.
- The term for recovering from illness 回復 (kaifuku) uses characters meaning 'return' and 'restoration', viewing health as a return to an original balance.
Examples in context
- トムは段々よくなっている。Tom is getting better.This sentence shows how to use よくなっている to describe a person's progress.Tatoeba #199862 by bunbuku, translation #37065 by CK
- すべては彼女がよくなっていることを示している。All the signs are that she is getting better.This sentence uses よくなっている to indicate that signs point toward an ongoing improvement.Tatoeba #214379 by mookeee, translation #51671 by sundown
- 彼は病気から 回復しました 。 (かれはびょうきから かいふくしました )He has recovered from the illness.
- 最近、プログラミングのスキルが 上達しました 。 (さいきん、プログラミングのスキルが じょうたつしました )Lately, my programming skills have improved.
- 日本語の成績がよくなっている。Nihongo no seiseki ga yokunatte iru.My Japanese grades are getting better.
Example conversation
Yohki and Yota are talking about their grandfather's health.
- 陽葵 Himariおじいちゃんの体調はどう？Ojiichan no taichou wa dou?How is Grandpa's condition?
- 陽太 Yotaだいぶよくなっているよ。Daibu yoku natte iru yo.He is getting much better.
- 陽葵 Himariそれはよかったね。Sore wa yokatta ne.That's good to hear.
- 陽太 Yotaうん、もうすぐ退院できると思う。Un, mou sugu taiin dekiru to omou.Yeah, I think he can leave the hospital soon.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
