よくなりました
yoku narimashita
In Japanese, the phrase for "I am better" is よくなりました (yoku narimashita).
This phrase is used to report that your physical or mental health condition has improved after being sick or injured. It is not used to say that you have become more skilled or proficient at a specific task.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the adverb yoku (well/good) and the past tense of the verb naru (to become).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The default form よくなりました is polite and suitable for use when speaking to teachers, bosses or strangers. For more formal situations, you can use 私は元気になりました to say "I have recovered" or "I feel better" or おかげさまで、体調はすっかり回復しました to say "Thanks to you, I have completely recovered."
How does it change in a sentence?
The informal version of the phrase uses the plain past tense よくなった instead of the polite form.
How do you pronounce it?
yoku narimashita
Did you know?
- In a professional setting, a Japanese employee will often start their report of being 'better' by apologizing for the inconvenience their illness caused the team before mentioning their recovery.
- The word 元気 (genki) in the phrase 元気になりました consists of characters meaning 'original' and 'energy', suggesting that being 'better' is a return to one's natural, balanced state.
- When saying よくなりました, Japanese people often accompany the phrase with a small bow or a slight tilt of the head to show modesty and gratitude for the other person's concern.
Examples in context
- ありがとうございます。私は元気になりましたThank you. I feel better now.
- おかげさまで、体調はすっかり回復しましたThanks to you, I have completely recovered.
- うん、元気になったよYes, I'm feeling better.
- 元気になりましたI feel better now.
- 体調がよくなりました。Taichou ga yoku narimashita.I am feeling better.
- 風邪はもうよくなりました。Kaze wa mou yoku narimashita.My cold is already better.
- 怪我はだいぶよくなりました。Kega wa daibu yoku narimashita.My injury has gotten much better.
Example conversation
Yota asks Yui about her cold at the office.
- 陽太 Yota風邪はどうですか？Kaze wa dou desu ka?How is your cold?
- 結衣 Yuiはい、もうよくなりました。Hai, mou yoku narimashita.Yes, I am better now.
- 陽太 Yotaそれは良かったです。Sore wa yokatta desu.That is good to hear.
- 結衣 Yuiありがとうございます。Arigatou gozaimasu.Thank you.
