いいですね
ii desu ne
To say that sounds good in Japanese, use いいですね (ii desu ne) to agree with a suggestion or idea.
いいですね is used to approve of any suggestion or plan, whether you heard it or read it. Japanese does not need a word for sounds here.
What does it mean word for word?
いい means good, です makes it polite and ね invites agreement, a bit like isn't it.
Which one should you use?
それは良いですね。 adds the word for that and is a little more formal. Among friends, それいいね。 is common and めっちゃいいじゃん！ is an excited way to say that's awesome.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
いいですね is polite and suits colleagues, acquaintances and people you are not close with. Dropping です to say いいね makes it informal, for friends and family.
How does it change in a sentence?
To say that sounded good about something in the past, use よかったです.
How do you pronounce it?
It is romanized as ii desu ne.
Did you know?
- While いいですね expresses agreement, saying いいです (ii desu) without the particle ね can often mean 'No thank you' when refusing an offer.
- On social media platforms like Facebook and LINE, the 'Like' button is labeled as いいね (ii ne), turning the phrase for 'that sounds good' into a digital action.
- The word いい (ii) is a shortened version of the ancient word よい (yoi). While both mean 'good', いい cannot be conjugated into the past tense as いいでした, which is why you must use よかったです.
Examples in context
- そのプランはいいですね。sono puran wa ii desu ne.That plan sounds good.
Example conversation
A man and a woman are discussing weekend plans.
- 大翔 Hiroto公園でピクニックをしませんか？kouen de pikunikku o shimasen ka?Shall we have a picnic in the park?
- 陽葵 Himariいいですね！ii desu ne!That sounds good!
- 大翔 Hirotoお弁当も作りますよ。obento mo tsukurimasu yo.I will make lunch boxes too.
- 陽葵 Himariそれは楽しみです。sore wa tanoshimi desu.I am looking forward to it.
