面白そう
omoshirosou
The English phrase 'it looks fun' can be said in Japanese as 面白そう (omoshirosou).
Used to say that something seems enjoyable or interesting based on its appearance.
Which one should you use?
While 面白そう emphasizes that something looks interesting, the related form 楽しそうです is a common and versatile expression to convey that something looks fun. To add enthusiasm, you can use the informal phrase めっちゃ楽しそう, which means something looks very fun. The casual phrase 面白そうだな is also used to express that something looks interesting and fun.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The dictionary form 面白そう is used in casual conversation with friends or family. To make the phrase polite and suitable for speaking to strangers or superiors, you can add です (desu) to the end to create 面白そうです. In informal settings, you might use 楽しそうだね.
How do you pronounce it?
omoshirosou
Did you know?
- In Japanese, the word 面白い (omoshiroi) originally described something that was 'interesting' because it was 'bright' or 'lit up'. This is why the word for 'fun' or 'interesting' is conceptually linked to light.
- The phrase 面白そう can be used sarcastically to mean 'this looks like a disaster' or 'this looks tedious' depending on the tone. This is similar to saying 'this looks promising' in English when something is clearly going wrong.
- The word めっちゃ (meccha) used in めっちゃ楽しそう is a dialect word from Kansai that became a nationwide slang term. It functions similarly to the English word 'super' or 'totally'.
Examples in context
- この映画は楽しそうですね。This movie looks fun, doesn't it?
- このイベントは魅力的に見えますね。This event looks fascinating, doesn't it?
- そのゲーム、楽しそうだね！That game looks fun!
- このイベント、めっちゃ楽しそうやな！This event looks so much fun!
- その映画、面白そうだな！That movie looks interesting!
- そのゲーム、面白そうですね。Sono gēmu, omoshirosō desu ne.That game looks fun, doesn't it?
- 新しいイベントは面白そう！Atarashii ibento wa omoshirosō!The new event looks fun!
Example conversation
Kenta and Yui are looking at a flyer for a summer festival.
- 結衣 Yuiこのお祭り、面白そうだよ！Kono omatsuri, omoshirosō da yo!This festival looks fun!
- 健太 Kenta本当だ、たくさん屋台があるね。Hontō da, takusan yatai ga aru ne.You're right, there are lots of food stalls.
- 結衣 Yui健太君も一緒に行かない？Kenta-kun mo issho ni ikanai?Do you want to go with me, Kenta?
- 健太 Kentaうん、ぜひ行こう！Un, zehi ikō!Yeah, let's definitely go!
