What does it mean word for word?
The phrase とてもかっこいい consists of totemo, meaning "very" and kakkoii, meaning "cool" or "good-looking".
Which one should you use?
While とてもかっこいい is the standard way to say "very cool/good-looking", you can use すごくかっこいい as a more colloquial and conversational alternative for emphasis. For a more playful tone, you might use めっちゃイケてるね to mean "You're crazy good-looking."
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The level of politeness changes depending on the phrase chosen. とてもハンサムですね is a direct and polite way to say "You are so handsome". すごくイケメンですね is also polite but feels slightly more casual than the version using ハンサム. In informal settings, you can use すごくカッコいいよ to mean "You are so cool/handsome" or the colloquial and energetic めちゃくちゃハンサムだよ to say someone is "very handsome".
How do you pronounce it?
totemo kakkoii
Did you know?
- The term イケメン (ikemen) is a portmanteau of the verb イケる, meaning 'good' or 'acceptable', and メン from the English word 'men'.
- In modern Japanese pop culture, the word イケメン can be used to describe an object or a piece of design that is 'sleek' or 'sharp', not just a person.
- Using the word ハンサム (hansamu) can sometimes feel slightly old-fashioned or 'Western' to Japanese speakers, whereas かっこいい feels more modern and natural in daily life.
Examples in context
- 外国の俳優さんは、とてもハンサムですね。Foreign actors are so handsome, aren't they?
- 彼はすごくイケメンですね。He is so handsome, isn't he?
- 最近彼がすごくカッコいいよ。Lately, he has been so cool/handsome.
- なんか最近めっちゃイケてるね！You've been crazy good-looking lately!
- この人めちゃくちゃハンサムだよ。This person is very handsome, you know?
- あの俳優はとてもかっこいいです。Ano haiyuu wa totemo kakkoii desu.That actor is so handsome.
- 彼はスタイルが良くて、とてもかっこいい。Kare wa sutairu ga yokute, totemo kakkoii.He has a good build and is so handsome.
- 弟はとてもかっこいいですね。Otouto wa totemo kakkoii desu ne.Your younger brother is so handsome, isn't he?
Example conversation
Yui and Ren are looking at a fashion magazine together.
- 結衣 Yuiこのモデル、とてもかっこいい！Kono moderu, totemo kakkoii!This model is so handsome!
- 蓮 Ren本当だね、結衣。すごくおしゃれだ。Hontou da ne, Yui. Sugoku oshare da.You're right, Yui. He's very stylish.
- 結衣 Yui蓮も、その服が似合っていてかっこいいよ。Ren mo, sono fuku ga niatte kite kakkoii yo.Ren, you look handsome in those clothes too.
- 蓮 Renありがとう、照れるなあ。Arigatou, tereru naa.Thanks, you're making me blush.
