その靴いいね
sono kutsu ii ne
To say "I like your shoes" in Japanese, you use その靴いいね (sono kutsu ii ne).
This phrase is a compliment used to tell someone that you find their footwear attractive. You can also use more specific compliments, such as その靴のデザインがすごく素敵ですね to say "The design of those shoes is really lovely," 足元がお洒落ですね to say "Your footwear is stylish," or 靴のセンスが良いですね to say "You have good taste in shoes."
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase その靴いいね breaks down as follows: その (sono) means "that" (referring to something near the listener) and 靴 (kutsu) means "shoes".
Which one should you use?
While その靴いいね is a standard way to express the sentiment, you might use 靴すごくいいね to say "Your shoes are really nice" or その靴、かっこいいね to say "Those shoes are cool."
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
その靴いいね is a casual expression. If you want to be more polite or formal, use その靴、素敵ですね to say "Those shoes are lovely, aren't they?" or 素晴らしいお靴ですね for "Those are wonderful shoes."
How does it change in a sentence?
In the casual form その靴いいね, the topic marker particle は (wa) is often omitted.
How do you pronounce it?
sono kutsu ii ne
Did you know?
- In Japan, it is common to remove your shoes entirely when entering a home or certain traditional restaurants, meaning your compliment その靴いいね is usually given only before the guest enters or after they leave.
- When receiving a compliment like その靴いいね, a common humble response is to disagree or downplay the item rather than simply saying 'thank you'.
- When using the more polite form 素晴らしいお靴ですね, the 'o' prefix is added to 靴 (kutsu) to make the noun itself sound more elegant and respectful.
Examples in context
- その靴いいね。Sono kutsu ii ne.I like those shoes.
- あ、その靴いいね！A, sono kutsu ii ne!Oh, I like your shoes!
Example conversation
Yota and Yui are meeting at a cafe.
- 陽太 Yota結衣、その靴いいね。Yui, sono kutsu ii ne.Yui, I like your shoes.
- 結衣 Yui本当？ありがとう！Hontou? Arigatou!Really? Thank you!
- 陽太 Yotaすごく似合ってるよ。Sugoku niatteru yo.They look great on you.
- 結衣 Yui嬉しい、嬉しい！Ureshii, ureshii!I'm so happy!
