偉い
0%
Log in to evaluate your pronunciation.
No feedback yet. Please speak to see your results.
Base na-adjective form. Used to describe someone or something as great, celebrated, or remarkable. Often follows the pattern: noun + 『は』 + 『偉い』.
Theme
At a school event, User chats with Aiko, a teacher, about a student's achievements.
偉い
えらい
great (descriptive)
People & IdentityEmotions & Personality
Memory Hook
Imagine a 'great' leader giving a speech, and everyone says, 『偉い！』 (erai, 'great'). It sounds like 'air-rye'—think of a great person soaring high in the air!
Cultural Note
In Japanese culture, 『偉い』 (erai) is often used to praise someone for achievements or status, such as a respected teacher or a successful businessperson. It's common in formal settings or when showing admiration.
Forms
Base: 偉いBase na-adjective form. Used to describe someone or something as great, celebrated, or remarkable. Often follows the pattern: noun + 『は』 + 『偉い』.
Negative: 偉くないDrop 『い』 → add 『くない』 (kunai, negative) → 『偉くない』 (erakunai). Note: This is a na-adjective, so it conjugates like an i-adjective in negative form.
Past: 偉かったDrop 『い』 → add 『かった』 (katta, past) → 『偉かった』 (erakatta).
Adverbial: 偉くDrop 『い』 → add 『く』 (ku, adverbial) → 『偉く』 (eraku).
Comparative: より偉いComparative formed with modifier 『より』 (yori, 'more than') + base adjective.
Superlative: 一番偉いSuperlative formed with 『一番』 (ichiban, 'number one / Most') + adjective.