What does it mean word for word?
The word センス (sensu) is a loanword from the English word "sense", but in Japanese, it specifically refers to a person's aesthetic taste or flair.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
あなたのセンスが好きです is a grammatically correct way to express this sentiment. However, in polite social settings, it is more natural and common to say センスがいいですね to mean "You have good taste, don't you?" For a very informal setting, such as talking to a friend, you might say Sutairu sugoi na. to mean "Your style is awesome!"
How do you pronounce it?
anata no sensu ga suki desu
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often try to translate "style" literally as sutairu, but in Japanese, sutairu often refers specifically to one's physical hairstyle or a specific way of doing something. To refer to aesthetic taste, you should use sensu instead.
Did you know?
- If you use the word スタイル (sutairu) while complimenting someone's appearance, a Japanese person might think you are complimenting their physical body proportions or figure rather than their clothes.
- Using the word センス to describe someone's taste is an example of a 'wasei-eigo' word, meaning 'Japanese-made English'. While it sounds like 'sense', the meaning has shifted so far from the English original that it specifically targets aesthetic flair.
- When using the phrase センスがいいですね, the final ね functions as a social tool. It transforms the compliment into a shared observation, which is more culturally aligned with Japanese values of harmony than a one-sided declaration of liking.
Example conversation
Yui and Yota are looking at a painting Yota made.
- 結衣 Yuiこの絵、とても素敵ですね。Kono e, totemo suteki desu ne.This painting is very lovely.
- 陽太 Yotaありがとうございます。Arigatō gozaimasu.Thank you very much.
- 結衣 Yuiあなたのセンスが好きです。Anata no sensu ga suki desu.I like your style.
- 陽太 Yotaそんな風に言ってもらえて嬉しいです。Sonna fū ni itte moraete ureshii desu.I'm happy to hear you say that.
