いい場所
ii basho
In Japanese, "nice place" is translated as いい場所 (ii basho).
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase いい場所 is composed of いい (good/nice) and basho (place/location).
Which one should you use?
いい場所 is an informal expression meaning nice place. For a more emotive or elegant way to say 'nice place', often used for lovely or wonderful locations, you can use 素敵な場所. If you want to use a more formal expression to describe elegant or beautiful locations, use 素敵な所. For a slang expression meaning "really nice place", use めちゃいいところ.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Kansai dialect, you can express "nice place" as ええところ in casual situations.
How does it change in a sentence?
To say 'it was a nice place', you add the past tense copula でした to the end, resulting in いい場所でした.
How do you pronounce it?
ii basho
Did you know?
- The word 素敵 (suteki), used in 素敵な場所, was originally derived from a word meaning 'to be strikingly different' or 'odd' before it evolved to mean 'lovely' or 'wonderful'.
- The slang めちゃ (mecha) in めちゃいいところ comes from めちゃくちゃ (mechakucha), which originally described something being broken into pieces or in total disorder.
- Japanese speakers often avoid saying 'this is a nice place' directly to a host, instead using phrases that focus on the atmosphere or the feeling of the space to show more humility.
Examples in context
- すてきな場所ですね、山田さん。What a nice place, Mr./Ms. Yamada.
- 本当に素晴らしい場所ですねIt's truly a splendid place!
- この海岸は最高の場所だ！This beach is the best place!
- ここはいい場所ですね。Koko wa ii basho desu ne.This is a nice place, isn't it?
- あそこはキャンプにいい場所です。Asoko wa kyanpu ni ii basho desu.That is a nice place for camping.
Example conversation
Hiyori and Yota are visiting a park for the first time.
- 陽葵 Himariここ、本当にいい場所だね。Koko, hontō ni ii basho da ne.This is a really nice place, isn't it?
- 陽太 Yotaうん、景色がとてもきれいだ。Un, keshiki ga totemo kirei da.Yeah, the scenery is very beautiful.
- 陽葵 Himariまた一緒に来ようよ。Mata issho ni koyō yo.Let's come here together again.
- 陽太 Yotaいいよ。ぜひ来よう。Ii yo. Zehi koyō.Sure. Let's definitely come.
