とても嬉しいです
totemo ureshī desu
In Japanese, "I am so happy" is expressed as とても嬉しいです (totemo ureshī desu).
This phrase is used to express a strong feeling of joy or pleasure regarding a specific event or situation. In Japanese, the subject "I" (watashi) is often omitted when the context makes it clear that you are expressing your own feelings.
Which one should you use?
The word ureshii is used for temporary, emotional joy triggered by a specific event, whereas shiawase is used for long-term, deep-seated happiness or life satisfaction.
How does it change in a sentence?
Dropping the desu at the end of the phrase makes it informal and suitable for friends or family. Replacing totemo with sugoku to say すごく嬉しいです makes the expression sound more conversational and emphatic in daily speech.
How do you pronounce it?
totemo ureshī desu
Did you know?
- The intensity of 'so' can be ramped up by replacing とても (totemo) with めちゃくちゃ (mechakucha) in highly casual settings, which literally means 'in a mess' or 'extremely' in a slang context.
- In anime and manga, characters often elongate the final vowel of ureshii to ureshiii! to convey a childlike or exaggerated sense of excitement.
- In Japan, expressing extreme joy through words is often accompanied by a slight bow or a softening of the voice to maintain social harmony.
Examples in context
- プレゼントをもらって、とても嬉しいです。Purezento o moratte, totemo ureshii desu.I am so happy to receive the present.
- 合格したことが、とても嬉しいです。Goukaku shita koto ga, totemo ureshii desu.I am so happy that I passed.
- 今日はお会いできて、とても嬉しいです。Kyou wa oai dekite, totemo ureshii desu.I am so happy to be able to meet you today.
Example conversation
Misaki tells Yota that she got the job she wanted.
- 美咲 Misaki就職が決まりました！とても嬉しいです。Shūshoku ga kimarimashita! Totemo ureshii desu.I got the job! I am so happy.
- 陽太 Yota本当におめでとう！よかったね。Hontō ni omedetō! Yokatta ne.Congratulations! I'm glad for you.
- 美咲 Misakiありがとうございます、陽太さん。Arigatō gozaimasu, Yōta-san.Thank you, Yota.
- 陽太 Yota今日は一緒にお祝いしよう。Kyō wa issho ni oiwai shiyō.Let's celebrate together today.
