How to say "brilliant" in Japanese

• 優秀ゆうしゅうJLPT N3approx.Common
  na-adjective, nounCovers brilliant in the sense of exceptionally able or talented, said of people, students, or their performance. It evaluates ability or results as superior, not literal brightness or splendor.
  彼女かのじょは作文さくぶんが優秀ゆうしゅうだ。↗

  She is excellent in composition.
• 輝かしいかがやかしいCommon
  i-adjectiveCovers brilliant in the sense of glorious or glittering, typically describing achievements, careers, or futures that shine figuratively. It suggests radiance and lasting success rather than personal ability.
  その軍団ぐんだんは戦闘中せんとうちゅう多おおくの輝かがやかしい作戦さくせんに従事じゅうじした。↗

  The army was involved in a number of brilliant actions during the battle.
• 鮮やかあざやかJLPT N1approx.Common
  na-adjectiveCovers brilliant in the sense of vivid or intensely bright, as with colors, or clear and striking, as with skillful play or a decisive win. It is about visual or performative brilliance.
  月つきは鮮あざやかに輝かがやいていた。↗

  The moon was shining brightly.
• 華々しいはなばなしいJLPT N1approx.Common
  i-adjectiveCovers brilliant in the sense of splendid or showy, describing conspicuous, eye-catching success or an impressive debut. It carries a flavor of flamboyance and public glitter.
• 目覚ましいめざましいJLPT N1approx.Common
  i-adjectiveCovers brilliant mainly as remarkable or striking, praising rapid progress or impressive results. It emphasizes something so notable it seems to wake you up, more than sheer talent or brightness.
  日本にっぽんは戦後せんご目覚めざましい産業さんぎょうの進歩しんぽをとげた。↗

  Japan achieved a remarkable development in industrial technology after the war.

For brilliant people or work use 優秀; for glorious achievements 「輝かしい」 or 「華々しい」; for vivid colors or dazzling displays 「鮮やか」; for strikingly impressive progress 「目覚ましい」.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 優秀ゆうしゅうsuperior
• 輝かしいかがやかしいbrilliant
• 鮮やかあざやかvivid
• 華々しいはなばなしいbrilliant
• 目覚ましいめざましいremarkable
• 絢爛けんらんgorgeous
• 華やかはなやかbright and beautiful
• 英明えいめいintelligent
• 煌々こうこうbrilliant
• さんさんbrilliant
• 燦然さんぜんbrilliant
• 燦さんbrilliant
• 赫々かくかくbrilliant
• 燦爛さんらんbrilliant
• ブリリアントbrilliant
• 輝々ききbrilliant (of light)
• 赫灼かくしゃくbright
• 玲瓏れいろうclear
• 目もあやめもあやdazzlingly beautiful
• 陸離りくりdazzling
• 卓然たくぜんoutstanding
• あっぱれsplendid
• 色鮮やかいろあざやかbrightly colored
• 目の覚めるようめのさめるようstunning
• すこぶるつきextreme