Translation and Meaning of: 素晴らしい - subarashii
The Japanese word 素晴らしい [すばらしい] is a term that carries significant emotional and cultural weight. If you have ever watched an anime, listened to a Japanese song, or talked to a native speaker, you have probably encountered this expression. But what exactly does it mean? Why do the Japanese use it so frequently? In this article, we will explore the meaning, origin, and uses of this fascinating word, along with tips for memorizing it effectively.
Wonderful is one of those words that goes beyond literal translation. It expresses admiration, amazement, and even a certain reverence towards something extraordinary. Whether to praise a stunning landscape, an incredible performance, or a personal achievement, this term is a powerful linguistic tool. Here at Suki Nihongo, our goal is to uncover the secrets behind words like this, making your learning richer and more contextualized.
Meaning and Translation of 素晴らしい
Translating 素晴らしい into English is not a simple task, as it encompasses a variety of nuances. The most common translation is "wonderful", "incredible", or "fantastic", but depending on the context, it can also mean "exceptional", "splendid", or even "magnificent". What differentiates this word from other similar ones is the emotional intensity it carries. When a Japanese person says 素晴らしい, they are expressing a genuine feeling of admiration.
It is worth noting that 素晴らしい is not used for everyday or mediocre things. It is reserved for moments and experiences that truly stand out. For example, if someone says "今日の天気は素晴らしい" (the weather today is wonderful), it implies that the day is exceptionally beautiful, not just pleasant. This specificity makes its use more impactful and memorable.
Origin and Composition of Kanjis
The word 素晴らしい is composed of three kanji: 素 (su), 晴 (ha), and らしい (rashii). The first kanji, 素, means "basic element" or "simplicity." The second, 晴, is associated with "clarity" or "good weather." Meanwhile, the suffix らしい adds a tone of "seem" or "characteristic of." The combination of these elements suggests something that is pure, clear, and admirable—an etymology that perfectly reflects the current meaning of the word.
Interestingly, the origin of 素晴らしい dates back to the Heian period (794-1185), when it began to be used to describe things that stood out for their beauty or quality. Over the centuries, its use has consolidated in everyday language, always maintaining this connotation of excellence. This history helps to understand why the word is still so valued in the Japanese vocabulary today.
How to Use 素晴らしい in Everyday Life
"素晴らしい" is a versatile word, but its use requires some discernment. It often appears in both formal and informal compliments, ranging from comments about a delicious meal to motivational speeches. For example, a boss might say to an employee: "君の仕事は本当に素晴らしい" (your work is truly amazing), highlighting an exceptional performance. In casual contexts, friends might use it to express enthusiasm, such as in "素晴らしいコンサートだったね!" (it was a wonderful concert, right?).
However, it is important to avoid using it excessively. As in any language, repeating the same word too often can dilute its impact. The Japanese tend to reserve 素晴らしい for situations that truly deserve emphasis, alternating with terms like すごい (amazing) or いい (good) in less intense contexts. This moderation helps to maintain the expressive strength of the word.
Tips for Memorizing 素晴らしい
An effective way to memorize 素晴らしい is to associate it with memorable experiences. For example, think of something that truly impressed you — a trip, a movie, an achievement — and say aloud: "これは素晴らしい!" (this is wonderful!). This emotional connection makes it easier to internalize the word. Another strategy is to hear the word in real contexts, such as in animes, dramas, or podcasts, to absorb its pronunciation and natural use.
Additionally, breaking down the kanjis into known components can help. Remember that 素 refers to something pure, 晴 to clarity, and らしい to a characteristic. Visualizing this decomposition not only aids in memorization but also enriches your understanding of the word. With practice and constant exposure, 素晴らしい will become part of your active vocabulary in Japanese.
Vocabulary
Expand your vocabulary with related words:
Synonyms and similar words
- 素敵 (suteki) - Wonderful, enchanting
- 素晴らしい (subarashii) - Incredible, exceptional
- 絶妙 (zeppyou) - Exquisite, masterful
- 絶品 (zeppin) - Masterpiece, a product of superior quality
- 絶好 (zekkou) - Great, excellent, in perfect condition
- 絶好調 (zekkoucho) - In great shape, excellent condition
- 絶賛 (zessan) - High appreciation, enthusiastic praise
- 抜群 (batsugun) - Notable, exceptional
- 驚異的 (kyouiteki) - Surprising, prodigious
- 驚くべき (odorokubeki) - Impressive, extraordinary
- 驚嘆 (kyoutan) - Admiration, astonishment
- 驚嘆的 (kyoutanteki) - Admirable, impressive
- 奇跡的 (kiseki-teki) - Miraculous, impressive
- 奇妙 (kimyou) - Strange, wonderful
- 奇妙な (kimyou na) - Wonderful, eccentric
- 奇想天外 (kisouten-gai) - Fantastic, out of the ordinary
- 奇想天外な (kisouten-gai na) - Unusual, extraordinary
- 奇抜 (kibatsu) - Original, extravagant
- 奇抜な (kibatsu na) - Exotic, uncommon
- 希有 (keu) - Rare, uncommon
- 希有な (keu na) - Uncommon, exceptional
- 珍しい (mezurashii) - Rare, uncommon
- 珍しいもの (mezurashii mono) - Rare thing, unusual object
- 珍品 (chinpin) - Rare article, rarity
- 珍品な (chinpin na) - Unusual, remarkable
- 貴重 (kichou) - Valuable, precious
- 貴重な (kichou na) - Very valuable, significantly important
- 価値ある (kachiaru) - Of value, worthy of appreciation
- 価値あるもの (kachiaru mono) - Valuable object, precious thing
- 価値のある (kachi no aru) - What has value, valuable
Related words
Romaji: subarashii
Kana: すばらしい
Type: adjective
L: jlpt-n3
Translation / Meaning: wonderful; splendid; magnificent
Meaning in English: wonderful;splendid;magnificent
Definition: Very good, wonderful.
Quick Access
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How to Write in Japanese - (素晴らしい) subarashii
See below a step-by-step guide on how to write the word by hand in Japanese. (素晴らしい) subarashii:
Example Sentences - (素晴らしい) subarashii
See below some example sentences:
Kanojo wa subarashii engi o enjita
She did a wonderful performance.
She performed a wonderful performance.
- 彼女 - she
- は - Topic particle
- 素晴らしい - amazing
- 演技 - performance
- を - direct object particle
- 演じた - interpreted
Kanojo wa subarashii engi o enzuru
She performs a wonderful performance.
She performs a wonderful performance.
- 彼女 - she
- は - Topic particle
- 素晴らしい - amazing
- 演技 - performance
- を - direct object particle
- 演ずる - perform, execute
Ren'ai wa jinsei no subarashii bōken desu
Love is a wonderful adventure in life.
Love is a wonderful adventure of life.
- 恋愛 - love/romance
- は - Topic particle
- 人生 - life
- の - Possessive particle
- 素晴らしい - amazing
- 冒険 - Adventure
- です - Verb to be/estar in the present
Sambah de umi wo nagameru no wa totemo subarashii desu
It is wonderful to look at the sea from the pier.
It's great to look at the sea from the pier.
- 桟橋 (sambashi) - a pier, a pier
- から (kara) - from, starting at
- 海 (umi) - the sea
- を (wo) - direct object particle
- 眺める (nagameru) - look, contemplate
- の (no) - particle of possession or explanation
- は (wa) - Topic particle
- とても (totemo) - Very, extremely
- 素晴らしい (subarashii) - Wonderful, excellent
- です (desu) - Verb to be/estar in the present
Chūmoku sareru koto wa subarashī koto desu
Being noticed is a wonderful thing.
It's great to be noticed.
- 注目されること - "being noticed" or "being recognized"
- は - Topic particle
- 素晴らしいこと - "wonderful thing" or "something excellent"
- です - Verb "to be" in polite form
Ikiru koto wa subarashii koto desu
Living is a wonderful thing.
Living is great.
- 生きること - live
- は - Topic particle
- 素晴らしい - amazing
- こと - thing
- です - Verb to be/estar in the present
Watashi no bokou wa totemo subarashii gakkou desu
My primary school is a very good school.
My alma mater is a wonderful school.
- 私 - The personal pronoun that means "I" in Japanese.
- の - particle that indicates possession or relationship between two things
- 母校 - noun that means "school where one graduated"
- は - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "my school"
- とても - adverb meaning "very"
- 素晴らしい - adjective that means "wonderful"
- 学校 - noun meaning "school"
- です - verb that indicates the polite way of affirming or asking something, in this case, "is"
Watashi no koibito wa totemo subarashii hito desu
My lover is a very wonderful person.
- 私 - The personal pronoun that means "I" in Japanese.
- の - particle indicating possession, equivalent to "de" in Portuguese
- 恋人 - Noun that means "lover" or "boyfriend/girlfriend" in Japanese
- は - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, equivalent to "é" in Portuguese
- とても - adverb meaning "very" in Japanese
- 素晴らしい - adjective that means "wonderful" or "excellent" in Japanese
- 人 - noun that means "person" in Japanese
- です - verb "to be" in Japanese, used to indicate state or quality
Watashitachi wa issho ni subarashii jikan o sugoshimashita
We had a wonderful time together.
We had a wonderful time together.
- 私たちは - 「私たち」
- 一緒に - "Juntos" in Japanese is "一緒に" (issho ni).
- 素晴らしい - "素晴らしい"
- 時間を - "Tempo" in Japanese
- 過ごしました - "Passamos" in Japanese is "私たちは通りました" (Watashitachi wa toorimashita).
Watashitachi wa kono purojekuto de subarashii seika o dasu koto ga dekimashita
We managed to get great results on this project.
- 私たちは - Personal pronoun "we"
- この - demonstrative adjective "this"
- プロジェクト - noun "project"
- で - Particle that indicates the place where the action occurs
- 素晴らしい - adjective "wonderful"
- 成果 - noun "result"
- を - Particle indicating the direct object of the action.
- 出す - "to produce"
- ことが - particle indicating action or event
- できました - verb "to be able to"
Other Words of this Type: adjective
See other words from our dictionary that are also: adjective
