よく

often

The adverb 'よく' indicates that an action is performed frequently or well.

N4

Meaning

often

The adverb 'よく' indicates that an action is performed frequently or well.

Formation

Explanation

'よく' is a versatile adverb in Japanese that primarily serves to convey the frequency of an action as well as the quality of performance. It can be translated as 'often' or 'well', depending on the context.

When used with verbs, 'よく' often describes how frequently something occurs. For example, 'よく食べる' means 'eat often'. It's important to note that 'よく' can also modify adjectives, indicating a high quality or proficiency in doing something. For example, 'よくできた' means 'well done'.

Additionally, 'よく' can be combined with various tenses and forms of verbs to adapt to different contexts. It is essential in conversational Japanese to express regular habits or to compliment someone's skills.

  • Frequency: to describe how often something happens.
  • Quality: to describe how well something is done.