最高
saikō[sa̠iko̞ː]
The English phrase "is the best" is expressed in Japanese using 最高 (saikō).
最高 is used to describe something as being of the highest quality or the most excellent. While it literally translates to "the best", speakers frequently use it as an exclamation to mean "This is awesome!" or "That's great!"
How does it change in a sentence?
In casual speech, you can follow the word with the copula だ (da) to form the complete sentence 最高だ. When you want to use the phrase to modify a noun directly, such as saying "the best pen", use the form 最高の (saikō no).
How do you pronounce it?
saikō
Did you know?
- In certain slang contexts, 最高 can be used ironically to describe a situation that is so disastrous it has become absurd or funny.
- While 最高 means 'the best', the phrase for 'the worst' is 最低, which literally means 'the lowest'. Together, they create a vertical scale of quality based on height.
- Japanese has a specific cultural concept called 最高潮 (saikōchō), which uses the word for 'best' and 'tide' to describe the absolute peak or climax of an event.
Examples in context
- これが最高なんだ。This is the best.Tatoeba #218919 by bunbuku, translation #1898091 by CK
- このビール最高だね。This beer is the best.Tatoeba #9037446 by small_snow, translation #8989190 by CK
- これは最高のペンだ。This is the best pen.This sentence illustrates the use of the modifying form 最高の.Tatoeba #11310762 by small_snow, translation #2898089 by AlanF_US
- このレストランの料理は最高です！The food at this restaurant is the best!
- 彼女は最優秀な社員です。She is the best employee.
- この映画は一番面白い！This movie is the best (most interesting)!
- このケーキは最高においしい！This cake is the absolute best (most delicious)!
- このカレーライスは究極だ！This curry rice is the ultimate best!
- 7 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are eating at a new restaurant.
- 結衣 Yuiこのお店のパスタ、最高じゃない？Kono omise no pasuta, saikou janai?Isn't the pasta at this restaurant the best?
- 大翔 Hiroto本当だね、最高に美味しいよ。Hontou da ne, saikou ni oishii yo.You're right, it's the best/extremely delicious.
- 結衣 Yui大翔も気に入ったみたいで良かった。Hiroto mo kiniitta mitai de yokatta.I'm glad you liked it too, Hiroto.
- 大翔 Hirotoまた絶対ここに来よう。Mata zettai koko ni koyou.Let's definitely come here again.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 最高, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
