とてもいい
totemo ii
In Japanese, 'very nice' is expressed as とてもいい (totemo ii).
The phrase is used to describe something that is of high quality or very pleasing.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of totemo (very) and ii (good).
Which one should you use?
While とてもいい is a standard way to say very nice, you may encounter other versions. 非常に良い is a formal way to say very good, while とても素晴らしい translates to very wonderful or very splendid. In casual settings, すごくいい or the even more casual めちゃくちゃいい can be used.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
In informal or colloquial speech, すごくいい is common.
How does it change in a sentence?
When you are modifying a verb instead of a noun, the adjective ii changes to its adverbial form yoku, resulting in とてもよく (very well).
How do you pronounce it?
totemo ii
Did you know?
- Depending on the context, いい can be used as a polite way to decline an offer, meaning 'No thank you' or 'I am fine'.
- The phrase めちゃくちゃ originally meant 'a mess' or 'in ruins' before it evolved into a slang intensifier for 'very'.
- The word とても (totemo) can sometimes be replaced by 大変 (taihen) in formal speech. While 'taihen' often means 'difficult' or 'terrible' in other contexts, as an adverb, it simply elevates 'nice' to a much more polite and serious level.
Examples in context
- 彼女はとてもいい人です。She is a very nice person.This sentence shows how to use とてもいい to describe a person.Tatoeba #91974 by small_snow, translation #311738 by CC
- とてもいい一日だったよ。It was a very nice day.This sentence shows how to use とてもいい to describe a day.Tatoeba #11997531 by bunbuku, translation #12263800 by CK
- 今日はとてもいい天気だった。The weather was very nice today.This sentence shows how to use とてもいい to describe the weather.Tatoeba #10117851 by small_snow, translation #8910273 by sundown
- あなたのドレスはとても素晴らしいですYour dress is very nice
- このレストランの料理は非常に良いですThe food at this restaurant is very nice
- 今日の天気はすごくいいですThe weather today is very nice
- コンサートはめちゃくちゃいいですThe concert was very nice
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A young man and woman are looking at a new apartment.
- 大翔 Hirotoこの部屋、とてもいいですね。Kono heya, totemo ii desu ne.This room is very nice, isn't it?
- 陽葵 Himariはい、とてもいい雰囲気です。Hai, totemo ii fun'iki desu.Yes, it has a very nice atmosphere.
- 大翔 Hiroto陽葵さんはここに住みたいですか？Himari-san wa koko ni sumitai desu ka?Do you want to live here, Himari?
- 陽葵 Himariええ、とてもいい物件だと思います。Ee, totemo ii bukken da to omoimasu.Yes, I think it is a very nice property.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
