素晴らしい
subarashii[sɨba̠ɾa̠ɕiː]
The English phrase "neat" can be translated into Japanese as 素晴らしい (subarashii).
While 素晴らしい expresses a sense of being wonderful or great, other terms like すっきり are used to describe a sense of simplicity, freshness or cleanliness. If you want to describe something that is visually appealing and aesthetically neat, you might use キレイ.
Meaning: having a simple elegance or style, clean, trim, tidy, tasteful (adj)
Which one should you use?
For an informal sense of being amazing or awesome, use すごい. For a sense of cleanliness, freshness or simplicity, use すっきり. If you mean something is visually appealing or beautiful, use キレイ. For more formal contexts, if you mean something is organized and structured, use 整然. If you want to emphasize precision and a meticulous state, use きちんと. For describing someone or something as well-groomed, elegant and in proper order, use 端正.
How do you pronounce it?
subarashii
Did you know?
- The word 素晴らしい underwent a complete reversal of meaning, shifting from a negative term used for things that caused fear to a positive term for things that are wonderful.
- The evolution of 素晴らしい from a negative word to a positive one mirrors the history of the English word 'terrific', which evolved from 'terrify'.
Examples in context
- あなたの書斎は整然としていますね。Your study room is quite neat, isn't it?
- 彼女はいつもきちんとしています。She is always so neat.
- 彼はいつも端正な服装をしています。He always dresses in a neat and refined manner.
- すごい技術ですね！That's some neat technique!
- この絵はとてもキレイに描かれていますね。This painting is beautifully done.
- 机の上がすっきりしています。The desk is nice and neat.
Example conversation
Ren and Misaki are looking at Misaki's new apartment.
- 蓮 Ren部屋がとても素晴らしいね。heya ga totemo subarashii ne.Your room is really neat.
- 美咲 Misakiありがとう、蓮さん。arigatou, Ren-san.Thank you, Ren.
- 蓮 Ren家具の配置もいいと思うよ。kagu no haichi mo ii to omou yo.I think the furniture layout is good too.
- 美咲 Misakiそう言ってくれて嬉しいわ。sou itte kurete ureshii wa.I'm glad you said that.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 素晴らしい, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 素晴らしい, CC BY-SA 4.0.
