What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the adjective いい (ii), meaning 'good' or 'nice' and the noun 靴 (kutsu), meaning 'shoes'.
Which one should you use?
While いい靴 is a standard way to say nice shoes, other variations change the nuance. おしゃれな靴ですね translates to "You have stylish shoes," すてきな靴ですね means "You have lovely shoes," and 靴がおしゃれですね means "Your shoes are fashionable."
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For more polite or elegant situations, such as when speaking to strangers or superiors, you might use 素敵な靴ですね (Those are lovely shoes) or すてきな靴ですね (You have lovely shoes). Other formal options include おしゃれな靴ですね (You have stylish shoes) and 靴がおしゃれですね (Your shoes are fashionable). In informal settings, you can say かっこいい靴だね to mean "Those shoes are cool!"
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Kansai region, you might hear the popular expression めっちゃいい靴やん, meaning "Those shoes look really good!" In Tokyo, the expression 超オシャレな靴じゃん is common, meaning "Those shoes are super fashionable!"
How does it change in a sentence?
You can add the particle ね to the end of the phrase to create いい靴ですね. This makes the compliment sound softer and more conversational, as it seeks agreement from the listener.
How do you pronounce it?
ii kutsu
Did you know?
- While いい靴 is a compliment, Japanese culture values modesty, so the person receiving the compliment will often reply by modestly denying it rather than simply saying 'thank you'.
- Because shoes are removed when entering a Japanese home, a compliment like いい靴 is often given at the entrance, known as the genkan, before the guest steps up into the house.
- In Japan, the concept of 'nice shoes' often extends to zōri or geta, traditional wooden sandals that follow different aesthetic rules than Western footwear.
Examples in context
- ここなら、いい靴が見つかるはずだよ。You ought to find nice shoes here.This sentence is useful for expressing that a certain location is a good place to find the form いい靴.Tatoeba #10668415 by bunbuku, translation #61930 by CK
- 靴の色が素敵ですねThe color of your shoes is lovely!
- そのデザインの靴がカッコいいですThose shoes with that design are cool!
- いい靴ですね。Ii kutsu desu ne.Those are nice shoes.
- 彼女はいつもいい靴を履いている。Kanojo wa itsumo ii kutsu o haite iru.She always wears nice shoes.
Example conversation
At a cafe, Hiroto notices Yui's new footwear.
- 大翔 Hiroto結衣さん、いい靴ですね。Yui-san, ii kutsu desu ne.Yui, those are nice shoes.
- 結衣 Yui本当ですか？ありがとうございます。Hontou desu ka? Arigatou gozaimasu.Really? Thank you very much.
- 大翔 Hirotoデザインがとても素敵です。Dezain ga totemo suteki desu.The design is very lovely.
- 結衣 Yui嬉しいです！Ureshii desu!I'm so happy!
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
