かっこいい
kakkoii
The Japanese phrase for "you're cool" is かっこいい (kakkoii).
かっこいい is used to describe someone's physical attractiveness, their style or a cool action/attitude. It can mean cool, handsome or stylish.
Which one should you use?
While かっこいい implies a sense of coolness or handsomeness, かわいい is used for things that are cute or adorable.
How does it change in a sentence?
To say someone "was cool" in the past tense, change the final い to かった, resulting in かっこよかった.
How do you pronounce it?
kakkoii
Did you know?
- In certain slang contexts, you might hear people shorten the phrase to just かっけー, which is a more masculine and rougher way to say it.
- The phrase かっこいい is actually a combination of two words: かっこ, meaning 'shape' or 'appearance', and いい, meaning 'good'.
- The word かっこいい can be used sarcastically to mock someone who is trying too hard to look cool but failing.
Examples in context
- 彼はとてもかっこいいです。Kare wa totemo kakkoii desu.He is very cool.
- その髪型、かっこいいね！Sono kamigata, kakkoii ne!That hairstyle is cool!
- 新しい車、かっこいい！Atarashii kuruma, kakkoii!That new car is cool!
Example conversation
Misaki sees Yota's new jacket for the first time.
- 美咲 Misakiそのジャケット、すごくかっこいい！Sono jaketto, sugoku kakkoii!That jacket is really cool!
- 陽太 Yota本当？ありがとう。Hontou? Arigatou.Really? Thanks.
- 美咲 Misaki陽太にぴったりだよ。Youta ni pittari da yo.It suits you perfectly, Yota.
- 陽太 Yota嬉しいな。よかった。Ureshii na. Yokatta.I'm happy. I'm glad you like it.
