ナイス
naisu
ナイス (naisu) is the Japanese way to say "Nice!" or "Good job!"
This phrase is used as an exclamation to praise someone for doing something well or to express that something is good. It functions frequently as a single-word exclamation to cheer someone on or to acknowledge a good play in real-time, much like the English "Nice!" or "Good job!"
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
ナイス is an informal loanword. It is used primarily in casual settings such as sports, gaming or among friends.
How do you pronounce it?
naisu
Did you know?
- While ナイス praises an action, Japanese speakers use different words for a 'nice' person, such as 優しい (yasashii) for kindness or いい人 (ii hito) for a good person.
- In Japanese 'Wasei-eigo' (English made in Japan), ナイス is used in the phrase ナイスタイミング (naisu taimingu) to describe perfect timing, a phrase rarely used in natural English.
- Because it is a loanword, using ナイス can sometimes feel more energetic or 'cool' in a competitive setting than using traditional Japanese words like 上手 (jouzu).
Examples in context
- それはいいね！That's nice!
- ナイスショット！naisu shotto!Nice shot!
- 今日のプレー、ナイスでした。kyou no puree, naisu deshita.Your play today was nice.
- ナイスアイデアですね。naisu aidea desu ne.That's a nice idea.
Example conversation
Two friends are playing tennis at a park.
- 結衣 Yuiナイス！今のサーブ、すごかったよ。naisu! ima no saab, sugokatta yo.Nice! That serve just now was amazing.
- 大翔 Hirotoありがとう。結衣に褒められると嬉しいな。arigatou. yui ni homerareru to ureshii na.Thanks. I'm happy to be praised by you, Yui.
- 結衣 Yui次はもっと良いプレーができるはずだよ。tsugi wa motto ii puree ga dekiru hazu da yo.I bet you can do an even better play next time.
- 大翔 Hiroto頑張るよ。ナイスな試合にしよう！ganbaru yo. naisu na shiai ni shiyou!I'll do my best. Let's have a nice match!
