Meaning

Primary

Amazing

Alternatives

Wonderful, Terrible, Awful

Word Type

い adjective

Explanation

This is a single kanji with an on the end, meaning you know it's probably an adjective. What's the adjective form of amazing? It's also amazing! Or terrible. This word can be both good and bad, it really depends on the context, because what is amazing is usually also a little awful. You know?

Reading

すごい
  • Kyoko
    (Tokyo accent, female)
  • Kenichi
    (Tokyo accent, male)

Explanation

Since this word consists of a kanji with hiragana attached, you can bet that it will use the kun'yomi reading. You haven't learned this reading yet, so here's a mnemonic to help you:

The most amazing and terrible thing you've ever seen is Suit Godzilla (すご). Godzilla was wearing a nice suit (amazing!) but also destroying your home, your friends, and your family (terrible!).

Context

Context Sentences

生後半年で話せるようになったなんて、凄い!

It's amazing that he was able to speak half a year after he was born!

雨、凄いですね。

The rain is awful, isn't it?

東大に受かったなんて、凄いじゃないですか!

That's wonderful that you got accepted by Tokyo University!

Kanji Composition