いいですね
ii desu ne
In Japanese, "that is good" can be expressed as いいですね (ii desu ne).
The phrase is used to express approval or to say that something is good. Depending on the specific context, it can also be used to mean "that is good, isn't it?" or to compliment someone's skill, such as in the phrase お上手ですね, which means "You are skilled, aren't you?" when someone has shown talent.
Which one should you use?
いいですね is used when you are seeking agreement or confirmation from the listener. In contrast, いいですよ is used to provide new information or to give a definitive "yes" to a suggestion. If you want to say something is "wonderful" or "excellent" in a formal context, you can use それは素晴らしいです.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
いいですね is a polite form. For informal situations with friends or subordinates, you might use それはいいね, それは良いよ or the shorter いいよ to mean "that's good" or "okay". For a more formal version of "that is good", you can use それは良いです.
How does it change in a sentence?
In the phrase いいですね, the particle ね at the end is used to seek agreement or confirmation from the listener, functioning similarly to "isn't it?" or "right?" in English.
How do you pronounce it?
ii desu ne
Did you know?
- When complimenting someone's skill with お上手ですね, it is a common Japanese custom for the recipient to modestly deny the praise by saying いいえ or 'No'.
- While いい means 'good', it is often used in Japanese to mean 'no' or 'I cannot' when paired with a hesitant tone or certain particles, which can confuse learners.
- The word いい is actually a phonetic contraction of the older word よい, though they share the same meaning.
Examples in context
- あなたのプレゼンテーションは素晴らしかったです。Your presentation was excellent.
- それはいいですね。Sore wa ii desu ne.That is a good idea.
- デザイン、いいですね。Dezain, ii desu ne.The design is good.
Example conversation
Yui and Hiroto are discussing a plan for the weekend.
- 結衣 Yui明日、公園に行きませんか？Ashita, kouen ni ikimasen ka?Shall we go to the park tomorrow?
- 大翔 Hirotoいいですね。Ii desu ne.That is good.
- 結衣 Yuiお弁当も持って行きましょう。Obento mo motte ikimashou.Let's bring a lunch box too.
- 大翔 Hirotoそれはいいですね、結衣さん。Sore wa ii desu ne, Yui-san.That is a good idea, Yui.
