お見事
Meaning: Splendid or brilliantly done — an exclamation of admiration for an impressive feat or display of skill.
A slightly formal yet widely used compliment that expresses genuine admiration for skill, craftsmanship, or achievement. The お prefix adds politeness to 見事 (splendid). Used when someone does something that makes you step back and appreciate the excellence — a perfect presentation, an incredible sports play, or stunning artwork. It has a slightly dramatic, theatrical flair.
Examples
- 難しい問題を一瞬で解くなんてお見事。 一瞬间就解出了这道难题,真精彩。Resolver un problema tan difícil en un instante, espléndido.어려운 문제를 순식간에 풀다니 お見事.
- お見事なプレゼンだった、感動したよ。 那场演讲真是精彩绝伦,让我很感动。Fue una presentación espléndida, me emocionó.お見事한 프레젠테이션이었어, 감동했어.
- この料理の盛り付け、お見事としか言いようがない。 这道菜的摆盘,只能用精彩来形容。La presentación de este plato solo se puede calificar de magnífica.이 요리 플레이팅, お見事라고밖에 할 말이 없다.
Pronunciation
/o.mi.go.to/
Usage Guide
Context: casual conversation, social media, sports, arts
Tone: impressed, dramatic
✓ Do Say
- お見事!完璧な演技だった。 (Splendid! That was a perfect performance.)漂亮!完美的表演。(精彩!那是一场完美的演出。)¡Espléndido! Ha sido una actuación perfecta.お見事! 완벽한 연기였어. (훌륭해! 완벽한 퍼포먼스였어.)
- この完成度はお見事としか言えない。 (This level of completion can only be called splendid.)这个完成度只能用精彩来形容。(这个完成度只能说是精彩绝伦。)Este nivel de acabado solo se puede calificar de espléndido.이 완성도는 お見事라고밖에 할 수 없어. (이 완성도는 훌륭하다고밖에 표현할 수 없어.)
✗ Don't Say
- 上司の仕事に「お見事」は上から目線に聞こえる場合がある (Saying 'omigoto' about your boss's work can sound like you're judging from above)对上司的工作说'お見事'有时会显得居高临下(对上司的工作说'真精彩'可能听起来像是在居高临下地评判)Decir «omigoto» sobre el trabajo de tu jefe puede sonar como si lo estuvieras juzgando desde arriba.상사의 업무에 「お見事」는 위에서 평가하는 것처럼 들릴 수 있다 (상사의 업무에 대해 'お見事'라고 하면 윗사람을 평가하는 느낌이 들 수 있다)
Common Mistakes
- Using お見事 too casually for minor things — it is best reserved for genuinely impressive achievements
Origin & History
From 見事 (splendid, beautiful to behold) with the honorific prefix お. 見事 originally meant 'worth seeing' (見 = see + 事 = thing). The expression has been used in Japanese for centuries, especially in contexts of martial arts, tea ceremony, and other traditional arts.
Cultural Context
Era: Classical origin, continuously used
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
Regional notes: Used across all of Japan. Carries a traditional elegance while remaining accessible in casual speech.
More From This Topic
More from Compliments & Encouragement
Flashcards, quizzes, audio pronunciation & spaced repetition — all free