What does it mean word for word?
The word すごい literally means amazing, great or incredible.
Which one should you use?
While すごいね is a standard way to express this, other forms exist depending on the nuance you want to convey. すごいよ is often used to convey excitement and admiration, while 最高だね translates more closely to "You're the best". すげぇぞ serves as a casual way to say "You're awesome".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The level of politeness changes based on the ending you choose. For a polite version suitable for people you are not close with, use すごいです. A formal way to say "You're awesome" is 大変素晴らしいですね. In casual settings, you might use すごいよ or the slang すげー, which is a very casual, masculine-sounding version created by changing the oi sound to ee.
How does it change in a sentence?
You can modify the word to change its intensity. Adding sugiru to the stem of sugoi creates the form すごすぎる, which means "too awesome" or "excessively amazing".
How do you pronounce it?
sugoi ne
Did you know?
- While すごい now means 'awesome', its original meaning was 'terrifying' or 'frightening'. It was used to describe things that were so overwhelming they caused fear.
- Japanese speakers may respond to すごいね by disagreeing or acting humble, as accepting direct praise too readily can be seen as arrogant.
- In modern Japanese slang, すごい is often used as an adverb to mean 'very', regardless of whether the thing being described is actually awesome.
Examples in context
- すごいよ、ひろ！本当に素晴らしい絵だね。You're awesome, Hiro! Your paintings are truly amazing.
- 大変素晴らしいですね、えみさん。プレゼンテーションが本当に素晴らしかったです。You're awesome, Emi-san. Your presentation was truly amazing.
- 一人で全部作ったの？すごいね。Hitori de zenbu tsukutta no? Sugoi ne.You made it all by yourself? You're awesome.
- テニス、すごいね！Tenisu, sugoi ne!You're awesome at tennis!
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about a cooking hobby.
- 大翔 Hiroto陽葵、このケーキ作ったの？Himari, kono keeki tsukutta no?Himari, did you make this cake?
- 陽葵 Himariうん、昨日作ったんだ。Un, kinou tsukutta n da.Yeah, I made it yesterday.
- 大翔 Hiroto本当にすごいね！Hontou ni sugoi ne!You're truly awesome!
- 陽葵 Himariありがとう、嬉しい！Arigatou, ureshii!Thanks, I'm happy to hear that!
