めっちゃいい
metcha ii
The Japanese phrase for really good is めっちゃいい (metcha ii).
めっちゃいい is an informal expression used to describe something that is very high in quality or very pleasing.
Which one should you use?
While めっちゃいい is a common informal way to express this, other options exist depending on the nuance: すごくいい and 超いい are also informal ways to say really good or superb, while ほんとに良い is an informal way to express that something is truly good. For formal contexts, use 非常に良い for very good, とても素晴らしい for very wonderful or 大変優れている to emphasize superiority or excellence.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
めっちゃいい is an informal expression and should be avoided in formal or professional settings.
How does it change in a sentence?
You can turn the phrase into a rhetorical question meaning 'Isn't it really good?' by changing the adjective to its negative form followed by a question particle, resulting in めっちゃよくない？
How do you pronounce it?
metcha ii
Did you know?
- The word めっちゃ is thought to be a contraction of めちゃくちゃ, which means 'in a mess' or 'absurd'. Over time, this meaning of 'extreme chaos' shifted to mean 'extreme degree' in a positive sense.
- Using めっちゃ is much more common in the Kansai region of Japan, where it functions as a staple of everyday speech even among older generations.
- The adjective いい (ii) is a shortened version of the older word よい (yoi), and this single change in spelling is why its conjugation rules are so unique in Japanese.
Examples in context
- このデザインは非常に良いですね。This design is very good, isn't it?
- この映画、すごくいいよ！This movie is really good!
- この映画、めっちゃいいよ。Kono eiga, metcha ii yo.This movie is really good.
- そのデザイン、めっちゃいいですね。Sono dezain, metcha ii desu ne.That design is really good, isn't it?
- 新しい靴、めっちゃいい感じ！Atarashii kutsu, metcha ii kanji!Your new shoes look really good!
Example conversation
Misaki and Kenta are talking about a new song at a cafe.
- 美咲 Misakiこの曲、めっちゃいいと思わない？Kono kyoku, metcha ii to omowanai?Don't you think this song is really good?
- 健太 Kentaうん、めっちゃいい曲だね。Un, metcha ii kyoku da ne.Yeah, it's a really good song.
- 美咲 Misaki健太くんの好み、めっちゃいいよ。Kenta-kun no konomi, metcha ii yo.Your taste is really good, Kenta.
- 健太 Kentaありがとう、嬉しいな。Arigatou, ureshii na.Thanks, I'm happy to hear that.
