今日は素敵ですね
kyō wa suteki desu ne
The English phrase "you look nice today" is translated into Japanese as 今日は素敵ですね (kyō wa suteki desu ne).
This phrase is used to tell someone that their appearance is attractive or pleasing today. In Japanese, the subject "you" is often omitted when it is clear from the context who is being addressed.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 今日 (kyō) means "today".
Which one should you use?
While 素敵 (suteki) is a common way to say "nice" or "lovely", it carries a slightly more elegant or sophisticated nuance than the more casual ii (good).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The form 今日は素敵ですね is a polite way to give a compliment. The phrase 今日は おしゃれですね is a polite way to compliment someone in professional settings or when speaking to someone older. The expression 今日はとてもお美しいですね is used to express admiration for beauty while maintaining a formal tone. The expression おしゃれだね is used to compliment someone's sense of style in informal situations like among friends or classmates. The expression 今日のファッション、いい感じだね is used to compliment a friend on their fashion sense or style.
How do you pronounce it?
kyō wa suteki desu ne
Did you know?
- In Japanese culture, a compliment like 素敵ですね is often met with a denial or humble dismissal, such as いえいえ (no, no), rather than a simple 'thank you'.
- In Japanese culture, direct compliments about physical appearance can sometimes be perceived as overly personal or even uncomfortable if used too frequently with acquaintances. It is often safer to compliment a specific item of clothing or a person's 'style' rather than their body itself.
- While 素敵 (suteki) is used for beauty, the Japanese language has a distinct preference for praising a person's 'atmosphere' or 'air' rather than just their physical features.
Examples in context
- 今日は おしゃれですね (Kyou wa oshare desu ne)You look stylish today.
- 今日はとてもお美しいですね (Kyou wa totemo o-utsukushii desu ne)You look very beautiful today.
- 今日のファッション、いい感じだね (Kyou no fasshon, ii kanji da ne)Your fashion today looks great.
- すごく可愛いね (Sugoku kawaii ne)You look really cute.
- おしゃれだね (Oshare da ne)You look stylish.
- 今日は素敵ですね。Kyō wa suteki desu ne.You look nice today.
- 新しい服、今日は素敵ですね。Atarashii fuku, kyō wa suteki desu ne.Your new clothes look nice today.
Example conversation
Ren and Himari meet up for a date.
- 蓮 Ren陽葵さん、今日は素敵ですね。Himari-san, kyō wa suteki desu ne.Himari, you look nice today.
- 陽葵 Himariありがとうございます！Arigatō gozaimasu!Thank you so much!
- 蓮 Renその服、とても似合っていますよ。Sono fuku, totemo niatte imasu yo.Those clothes really suit you.
- 陽葵 Himari嬉しいです。蓮さんもかっこいいですよ。Ureshii desu. Ren-san mo kakkoii desu yo.I'm happy to hear that. You look handsome too, Ren.
