これがいい
kore ga ii
In Japanese, "I want this one" is said as これがいい (kore ga ii).
This phrase is used to express a preference for a specific item when making a choice.
What does it mean word for word?
The word これ means "this" or "this one" when referring to an object near the speaker.
Which one should you use?
While これがいい means "this is the one I want/prefer", the phrase これがほしい specifically expresses a desire to possess the object itself.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The plain form これがいい is used in casual conversation with friends or family. To make the phrase polite and suitable for use with shop staff or strangers, you can say これがいいです. For more formal situations, you might use これをください (Please give me this one) or これをお願いします (I humbly request this one).
Is it said differently in some regions?
The variation これお願い drops the 'o' particle and is commonly used in more casual settings or specific regions.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase これがいい is in its plain/dictionary form.
How do you pronounce it?
kore ga ii
Did you know?
- In a restaurant or shop, pointing while saying これがいい is common, but in formal settings, it is more polite to place a hand open toward the item rather than using a single finger.
- If you use これがいい with a specific downward intonation, it can transform from a declaration of preference into a blunt refusal, essentially meaning 'No, I do not want that'.
- The word いい is a phonetic evolution of よい. While よい is still used in some formal contexts, いい has become the standard for casual preferences like これがいい.
Examples in context
- これがいい。Kore ga ii.I want this one.
- 迷ったけど、やっぱりこれがいい！Mayotta kedo, yappari kore ga ii!I was undecided, but I want this one after all!
Example conversation
Ren and Yui are shopping for a new notebook in a stationery store.
- 蓮 Ren結衣、どのノートにする？Yui, dono no-to ni suru?Yui, which notebook are you going to pick?
- 結衣 Yuiこれのデザイン、可愛いからこれがいい！Kore no dezain, kawaii kara kore ga ii!This design is cute, so I want this one!
- 蓮 Renじゃあ、それを買おうか。Jaa, sore o kaou ka.Well then, shall we buy that one?
- 結衣 Yuiうん、ありがとう、蓮！Un, arigatou, Ren!Yeah, thank you, Ren!
