Don’t just keep saying ‘Sugoi’! There are many natural ways to give
compliments, like a native Japanese speaker. Want to know? Read on!
When learning Japanese, we often want to compliment someone. If you’re looking
for how to say “Nice Job in Japanese”, there are many expressions depending on
the context and level of formality. Don’t just rely on “Sugoi” all the time!
Let’s learn various ways to complement a native speaker.
1. ‘Yoku Yatta!’ (よくやった) – Casual and Friendly
If you want to praise a friend casually, Yoku Yatta! is a great choice. This
phrase means “Nice job!” or “Well done!” in informal situations.
Example:
A: 試験に合格したよ！(Shiken ni goukaku shita yo!) – I passed the exam!
B: よくやった！(Yoku yatta!) – Nice job!
2. ‘Otsukaresama!’ (お疲れ様) – The Most Common and Natural
This phrase is frequently used in the workplace or after completing a task. It
means “Thank you for your hard work,” but it can also mean “Good job!”
Example:
A: 今日は仕事が多かったね。(Kyou wa shigoto ga ookatta ne.) – We had a lot of
work today.
B: お疲れ様！(Otsukaresama!) – Nice job!
3. ‘Sugoi!’ (すごい) – A Universal Compliment
The word “sugoi” is very commonly used to praise someone’s achievement.
However, to sound more natural, avoid overusing it.
Example:
A: 日本語のスピーチコンテストで優勝したよ！(Nihongo no supiichi kontesuto de
yuushou shita yo!) – I won the Japanese speech contest!
B: すごい！(Sugoi!) – That’s amazing!
4. ‘Subarashii!’ (素晴らしい) – More Elegant and Formal
To give a formal compliment, use Subarashii, which means “Wonderful!” or
“Excellent!”
Example:
A: 先生、この絵を見てください！(Sensei, kono e wo mite kudasai!) – Sensei,
please look at this drawing!
B: 素晴らしい！(Subarashii!) – Wonderful!
5. ‘Kantan Desu ne’ (簡単ですね) – To Compliment Subtly
If you want to compliment someone for making something look easy, use Kantan
desu ne, which means “That looks easy for you!”
Example:
A: この問題、すぐに解けたよ！(Kono mondai, sugu ni toketa yo!) – I solved this
problem quickly!
B: 簡単ですね！(Kantan desu ne!) – That’s impressive!
In Japanese, how to say “Nice Job” depends on the situation and level of
formality. Try practising these expressions to sound more natural and like a
native speaker!
