超かっこいい
chō kakkoii
The English phrase "super cool" can be translated into Japanese as 超かっこいい (chō kakkoii).
超かっこいい is used to mean "super cool" in informal conversations. To describe something as exceptionally awesome or remarkable in a formal context, you should use the word 素晴らしい instead.
What does it mean word for word?
The expression is composed of the prefix 超, which literally means "super", "ultra" or "hyper" and the word かっこいい, which means "cool" or "good looking".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
超かっこいい is an informal expression. The prefix 超 is highly colloquial and should be avoided in formal or professional settings. For a more formal way to say something is exceptionally awesome or remarkable, use 素晴らしい. Additionally, among young people, the slang version めっちゃかっこいい is popular.
How do you pronounce it?
chō kakkoii
Did you know?
- The slang alternative めっちゃ comes from the Kyoto dialect of Japanese. It originally described a state of being 'completely messy' or 'shattered' before becoming a general intensifier for 'super'.
- The word かっこいい is a modern evolution of 格好良い, where the first part refers to social status or rank. Being 'cool' originally implied having a dignified presence.
- Although 超 is used as 'super' in this phrase, it is also the standard prefix used in scientific Japanese to describe 'superconductivity' or 'ultrasound'.
Examples in context
- その車はめっちゃかっこいいThat car is super cool!
- 彼の演奏は超かっこいいHis performance is super cool!
- 自分らしく生きることこそ、最もかっこいいBeing true to yourself is the coolest.
- あのギター、超かっこいい！Ano gitā, chō kakkoii!That guitar is super cool!
- 新しい車、超かっこいいですね。Atarashii kuruma, chō kakkoii desu ne.The new car is super cool, isn't it?
- 彼のファッションは超かっこいい。Kare no fasshon wa chō kakkoii.His fashion is super cool.
Example conversation
Yui and Ren are looking at a new guitar.
- 結衣 Yui蓮、このギター超かっこいいね！Ren, kono gitaa chou kakkoii ne!Ren, this guitar is super cool!
- 蓮 Ren本当だね。色がすごくきれいだ。Hontou da ne. Iro ga sugoku kirei da.You're right. The color is really beautiful.
- 結衣 Yui音がどうなるか気になるな。Oto ga dou naru ka ki ni naru na.I wonder how it sounds.
- 蓮 Ren店員さんに聞いてみようか。Ten'in-san ni kiite miyou ka.Shall we ask the clerk?
