In terms of definition of something we tend to use ‘good’ and ‘nice’ as if they are the same thing. But you may ask; is there any difference between the two? In this Blog, I will explain the difference between these words and try to figure out whether nice is better than good.
Understanding Good
In its most simple derivation ‘good’ is defined as something that is well or satisfactorily done, or has quality. Many people use it to refer to anything tangible, including food and events. But it lacks specificity most of the times because its image is not as unique as it should be. For example, if someone asks how your day was, even if you answer it is good, this is not very informative.
Though ‘good’ is vague, yet pin has some positive connotation to it. This term is usually considered as a positive attribute. That is why when applying it alongside ‘nice,’ it has been found to lack some qualities in certain respects.
The Power of Nice
Just how to glucose ‘Nice’ often goes beyond just being good. It has a positive social implication, which means good nature or friendliness with others. The word nice, in this case has an implication of a positive emotion. For instance a nice person can also be described as friendly and polite or easy going.
Also, when we say something is nice, we tend to have a meaning that it is beyond what had been expected or simply brings happiness. For example, should you take a sip of very good cupcake, it simply means the cupcake has an attribute you were not expecting in terms of taste and texture.
Context Matters
Thus, nice may be more preferable than good taking into account the difference in the positive and emotional connotation of the word for two reasons, while it is carefully necessary to mention that the word choice depends upon the context constantly.
At times, what might be referred to as ‘good’ might be more apt. For instance, when one is talking about a performance in workplace, stating someone/organisation did a good work means professionalism and competency is achieved.
On the other hand, ‘niceness’ is rather labelled to personal character and feelings. When a friend is of assistance to you in some challenging circumstance, its’ far more inspiring to be grateful for the nice things that your friend did than it is to sit there and call it good.
Choosing the Right Word
To determine whether to use ‘good’ or ‘nice’ it is always wise to first consider the general information diet you want to feed to your audience. So if you want to produce high values such as caring, optimism, or emotions, then ‘nice’ is preferable.
On the other hand, if you need to portray a message that gives the subject some authority or gentleman-like quality, then ‘good’ would be the best.
Finally, it is very important to pick words to express your intent and to make sure your audience has no other connotations. Do not be repetitive and ponder over learning and high impact terms before using them.
Conclusion
Among the most straightforward replacements, nice and good can differ in ways that affect the message quite a lot. Learning these differences will assist in deciding which word is appropriate for use in any situation.
As a reminder let it be mentioned that the term nice is loaded with positive connotations and emotion, while good can be associated with mere skill and efficiency. Due to the different type of work, it is important to understand the situation and goal when deciding and explaining one’s actions.
The next time you reach for the word ‘good’ as a adjective think twice and decide if ‘nice’ would not be a more appropriate term for expression of your idea.
