とても良い
totemo ii
In Japanese, 'very well' can be expressed as とても良い (totemo ii).
Meaning: interjection (intj)
Which one should you use?
You might use すごい上手 to specifically mean that someone is amazingly skillful or super good.
How does it change in a sentence?
When used as an adverb to modify a verb (e.g., 'getting along very well'), the adjective ii changes to the adverbial form よく, resulting in the phrase とても良く.
How do you pronounce it?
totemo ii
Did you know?
- While とても良い means 'very good', Japanese speakers often use the word いい in a rising intonation to actually mean 'no' or 'I am fine without it'.
- The word すごい originally meant 'terrible' or 'frightening', but over time it evolved into a general intensifier similar to 'amazing' or 'very'.
- Japanese has a concept called 謙譲語 or humble language, where a speaker would never describe their own skills as 上手 and would instead use a humble alternative.
Examples in context
- 姑とはとても良い関係です。I'm getting along with my mother-in-law very well.This sentence demonstrates how to use とても良い to describe a relationship.Tatoeba #1166372 by bunbuku, translation #257309 by CK
- 彼女のプレゼンテーションはすごく上手でした。Her presentation was very well done.
- その提案はとてもよく考えられています。That proposal has been thought through very well.
- その楽器がすごい上手に弾けるんだね！You play that instrument amazingly well!
- 彼女はバリバリ働いていますね。She's working really hard, isn't she?
Example conversation
Misaki and Kenta are discussing a plan for a trip.
- 美咲 Misakiこのプランはどうですか？Kono puran wa dou desu ka?How is this plan?
- 健太 Kentaとても良いと思います。Totemo yoi to omoimasu.I think it is very well planned.
- 美咲 Misakiよかった。安心しました。Yokatta. Anshin shimashita.I'm glad. I'm relieved.
- 健太 Kenta楽しみですね。Tanoshimi desu ne.I'm looking forward to it.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
