立派(りっぱ)

りっぱ
na-adjective
splendid, fine, admirable
descriptive
1. splendid, magnificent, impressive
Describes something grand, impressive in appearance or quality.
立派(りっぱ)な建物(たてもの)ですね。
What a splendid building!
立派(りっぱ)な庭園(ていえん)がある。
There's a splendid garden.
立派(りっぱ)な家(いえ)に住(す)んでいる。
They live in a magnificent house.
立派(りっぱ)なお寺(てら)を見(み)に行(い)きました。
I went to see a magnificent temple.
駅前(えきまえ)に立派(りっぱ)なビルが建(た)ちました。
A splendid building was built in front of the station.
2. admirable, respectable, fine
Worthy of respect or praise; describes people or their achievements.
彼(かれ)は立派(りっぱ)な人(ひと)になりました。
He became a fine person.
立派(りっぱ)に仕事(しごと)をしています。
You're doing a fine job.
Adverbial use
息子(むすこ)は立派(りっぱ)な医者(いしゃ)になった。
My son became a fine doctor.
失敗(しっぱい)から学(まな)ぶことは立派(りっぱ)なことです。
Learning from failure is an admirable thing.
立派(りっぱ)な大人(おとな)になってね。
Become a fine adult, okay?
立派(りっぱ)な業績(ぎょうせき)を残(のこ)した。
They left behind admirable achievements.
立派(りっぱ)な態度(たいど)で対応(たいおう)した。
They responded with a respectable attitude.

立派(りっぱ) is a na-adjective describing something worthy of respect or admiration.

Forms

  • 立派(りっぱ)な + noun: a fine/splendid ~
  • 立派(りっぱ)に + verb: admirably, splendidly
  • 立派(りっぱ)だ/です: is splendid

Functions

1. Physical impressiveness: 立派(りっぱ)な建物(たてもの) (magnificent building), 立派(りっぱ)な庭(にわ) (splendid garden)
2. Moral/character praise: 立派(りっぱ)な人(ひと) (respectable person), 立派(りっぱ)な態度(たいど) (admirable attitude)

Similar words

  • 立派(りっぱ): worthy of respect. For things it means imposing scale and solid quality; for people it means moral soundness and having become what one should be. The praise is about standing, not about beauty or enjoyment.
  • 素晴(すば)らしい: wonderful. Reports the speaker's own delight and applies to anything — weather, music, news — including things that have no dignity to speak of.
  • 見事(みごと): splendid, masterly. Praises skill and execution, how well something was carried off, so it fits performances and craftsmanship where 立派(りっぱ) would sound off.

Watch out

  • The honorific form ご立派(りっぱ) is frequently sarcastic in speech: ご立派(りっぱ)ですね said flatly reads as "aren't you impressive" rather than genuine praise. Plain 立派(りっぱ)ですね is the safe way to compliment.

Common patterns

Often used when praising someone's growth or encouraging children about their future.

Related Words

Related: 素晴(すば)らしい (wonderful, splendid)
Related: 見事(みごと) (splendid, masterly (praises skill))
Compare: 優秀(ゆうしゅう) (excellent, outstanding)
Compare: 堂々(どうどう)たる (imposing)
Compare: 見事(みごと)に (splendidly)
Compare: あっぱれ (splendid)
Compare: 豪華(ごうか)な (luxurious)
core
Added 2026.1.7 21:15 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:00
01000/01093_rippa