“Wow, good for you!”

English Lesson: Wow, good for you!

Your young child shows you a picture he drew of a flower. You say this to encourage him.

Wow, good for you!

Want Video and Sound? Follow us on YouTube

good for you

This phrase is used to praise small children. It means "you did a good job".

However, when this phrase is used toward an adult, it can seem insulting. It sounds patronizing, like you are suggesting that the person you say it toward is a little kid.

"Good for you" can also seem like a rude way of saying "I don't care." For example, you might say it if someone you don't like is bragging about something:

A: I was the class president of my university.

B: Good for you.

Wow!

"Wow!" expresses excitement. You say it when someone tells you something or shows you something. You can use "wow" to express a variety of emotions about the thing you're being told or shown:

  • it's interesting and exciting
  • you want to encourage the person, especially a child
  • you can't think of anything else to say