Japanese for English speakers Office · Lesson 4

Praises and compliments

Compliment someone in Japanese with よく頑張りました (you've been working hard) and humbly accept with お褒めの言葉をありがとうございます. Plus ご褒美 (reward).

Conversation

  1. PX296 PX296

    最近、よく頑張りましたね

    saikin, yoku ganbarimashita ne

    You have been working hard lately

    Tip: <saikin> = lately, in these days <yoku> = well / a lot / very much <ganbarimasu> = do your best, to put in effort

  2. Bob Bob

    お褒めの言葉をありがとうございます

    ohome no kotoba o arigatō gozaimasu

    Thanks for you compliments

    Tip: <ohome> = to praise, to compliment <kotoba> = word, phrase

  3. PX296 PX296

    ご褒美に、会社のスマホをあげます

    go hōbi ni, kaisha no sumaho o agemasu

    As a reward, I'll give you our company smartphone

    Tip: <go hōbi ni> = as a reward, as a prize <kaisha> = company, corporation <sumaho> = smartphone

  4. Bob Bob

    へえ？ただでくれますか？

    hē? tata de kuremasu ka?

    Eh? Are you giving it to me for free?

    Tip: <tada de> = for free, free of charge <kuremasu> = to give me (not used to say "give you / him")

Common questions

Quick answers about this lesson's grammar and vocabulary.

How do you accept praise politely in Japanese?

Don't outright agree — instead, thank: お褒めの言葉をありがとうございます ('thank you for the kind words'). Modesty is preferred.

What does 頑張る (ganbaru) mean?

'To work hard / do your best / persevere' — a cultural keyword for effort and resilience. 頑張ってください = 'do your best'.

What is ご褒美?

'Reward' or 'treat' — given for an accomplishment or effort: ご褒美に〜をあげます = 'as a reward, I'll give you ...'.

Test yourself

Pick the English translation for each line from this lesson. Wrong answers are pulled from other Japanese lessons.

4 quick questions on what you just heard.