とても良い
totemo yoi
The English phrase "very good" is translated into Japanese as とても良い (totemo yoi).
とても良い is used to describe something of high quality or a situation that is satisfactory.
Which one should you use?
While とても良い is standard, in more formal or literary contexts, the word 非常に (hijō ni) is often used instead of とても (totemo) to mean "very." Additionally, in spoken Japanese, the adjective 良い (yoi) is frequently pronounced and written as いい (ii), making the colloquial form とてもいい.
How does it change in a sentence?
In casual speech, とても良い is often used without a verb or copula at the end.
How do you pronounce it?
totemo yoi
Did you know?
- In casual conversation, Japanese speakers often use the word いい (ii) with a specific falling intonation to mean 'No thank you' or 'I am fine without it'.
- When praising someone, Japanese people often avoid saying とても良い (totemo yoi) directly to a superior, as it can sound like they are grading or judging the superior's performance.
- The formal alternative 非常に (hijō ni) literally translates to 'not ordinary', reflecting a cultural preference for describing excellence as a deviation from the norm.
Examples in context
- とても良いことだね。That is a very good thing.This sentence shows how to describe a situation as a very good thing using とても良い.Tatoeba #10335404 by small_snow, translation #1486874 by Spamster
- 彼女はとても良い声をしている。She has a very good voice.This sentence uses とても良い to describe the quality of a voice.Tatoeba #1037907 by bunbuku, translation #1037301 by Brian255
- 彼が住んでいる寮の食事はとても良い。The food is very good in the dormitory where he lives.This sentence uses とても良い to describe the quality of food.Tatoeba #1785426 by bunbuku, translation #285394 by CK
- 素晴らしい仕事ですね！Very good job!
- とても素敵ですね！It's very nice!
- 5 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Yui and Hiroto are discussing a new hotel they found.
- 結衣 Yuiこのホテルは口コミがとても良いね。Kono hoteru wa kuchikomi ga totemo yoi ne.The reviews for this hotel are very good, aren't they?
- 大翔 Hiroto本当だ。写真を見ても綺麗だよ。Hontō da. Shashin o mite mo kirei da yo.You're right. It looks beautiful in the photos too.
- 結衣 Yui立地もとても良いから、ここにしよう。Ritchi mo totemo yoi kara, koko ni shiyō.The location is also very good, so let's go with this one.
- 大翔 Hiroto賛成。すぐに予約しよう。Sansei. Sugu ni yoyaku shiyō.I agree. Let's book it right away.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
