How to Say ‘Good job’ in Japanese
よくやったね
yoku yatsu ta ne
[yo-ku ya ta neh]
💬 Usage Tip: [よくやった] means “you did it well” or “nice job.” Slightly more energetic than [よくできたね].
🇯🇵 In Japan: This phrase can sound like cheering after success, so it is great for training moments or excited praise after a trick.
Phrase Breakdown
よく
yoku
[yo-ku]
well
Used to emphasize that something was done well.
よくやったねってすぐほめたよ。
I quickly praised, “You did well.”
やった
yatsu ta
did / managed
Past form of やる, meaning to do something or accomplish it.
よくやったね。
Well done.
Words in this phrase
やっ
yatsu
[ya]
did
From やる, meaning to do. This stem is part of やった, meaning did it.
ちゃんとやって、よくやったね。
You did it properly—well done.
た
ta
[ta]
did; past ending
Completes やった, showing the action was successfully done.
できたことがあって、よくやったね。
You managed to do it—good job.
ね
ne
[neh]
isn't it; right
Adds softness and affection to the praise.
よくやったね、ねって頭をなでる。
“You did well, right,” I say while petting the head.
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