素晴らしい

Japanese

Etymology

Originally derived from 窄(すば)る (subaru, “to shrink, to get smaller”, archaic) + しい (-shii, adjectivizing suffix evoking the quality of the suffixed term), from the sense of “that which makes one shrink away”. Compare verbs 窄まる (subomaru), 窄める (subomeru). The kanji spelling is an example of ateji (当て字).

The initial sense was strongly negative, and this usage continued until at least the mid-1800s in the Edo period, since when the meaning shifted to a strong positive instead. Compare the development of English terrific, of strongly positive meanings, from terrify, of strongly negative meanings.

The modern kanji spelling could be considered an example of ateji (当て字).

Pronunciation

• (Tokyo) すばらし​い (Nakadaka – )
• IPA^(key):

Adjective

素(す)晴(ば)らしい • (subarashii) -i (adverbial 素(す)晴(ば)らしく (subarashiku))

1. terrific, wonderful, splendid, grand, magnificent
2. (obsolete) extreme, terrible

Inflection

Synonyms

• (terrific, wonderful): 素晴(すば)らしき (subarashiki) (adnominal), 素(す)敵(てき) (suteki, “wonderful”), 凄(すご)い (sugoi, “amazing”)
• (extreme, terrible): 凄(すご)い (sugoi, “terrible”)

Descendants

• → Chinese: 斯巴拉西 (sībālāxī)

References