良い
い-Adjective meaning 'good'
Structure
Non-Past Negative Form: よくない
Past Form: よかった
Past Negative Form: よくなかった
Explanation
The adjective いい translates to 'good' in English. It can be tricky for learners initially because it follows a unique conjugation pattern, unlike other い-Adjectives.
- それはいい考えだ。That's a good idea.
- この味は良くない。This flavor isn't good.
- その旅行はよかった。That trip was good.
- テストの結果はよくなかった。The test results were not good.
As demonstrated in the examples above, the initial い of いい switches to よ for most conjugations. This irregularity is specific to いい and does not occur with any other adjective.
You may also encounter いい written with its kanji, 良い. When the kanji is used, it is typically read as よい rather than いい. While the core meaning is the same, よい carries a more formal or slightly dated nuance.
- それはいい本だ。That is a good book.
- このデザインも良い。This design is also quite fine. ('Quite fine' conveys a similar nuance to よい)
Caution
It is important not to mix up the adverb よく with the conjugated form of いい. As an adverb, よく can be written with different kanji and means 'often', 'frequently', or 'well'.
Examples
たのしいです。
(It is) fun.
このゲームはたのしいです。
This game is fun.
これはたのしい一日です。
This is a fun day.
これもたのしい授業です。
This is also a fun class.
これはたのしい仕事だ。
This is a fun job.
たのしい？
(Is it) fun?
これはたのしくない。
This is not fun.
先生も、たのしい人です。
The teacher is also a fun person.
お祭りは、たのしかったです。
The festival was fun.
しゅくだいは、たのしくなかった。
The homework was not fun.
明日もたのしいです。
Tomorrow will be fun too.
これは、たのしい場所だ。
This is a fun place.