How to say "eminent" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 著名ちょめいna-adjective, nounThe closest match for the core sense of eminent as 'famous and widely noted.' Use it for renowned people — an eminent scholar, writer, or scientist — when the point is that they are well known.
- 有数ゆうすうna-adjective, no-adjective, noun (suffix)Covers eminent in the sense of 'one of the leading few': it presents a person or thing as ranking among the foremost in a field or area, as in one of the country's leading universities.
- 高位こういna-adjective, nounConfined to eminent in the sense of 'high-ranking': it denotes a high position or rank rather than fame or ability. It is seldom the word for a distinguished person in general; use 著名 for that.
- 指折りゆびおりno-adjectiveAlso covers eminent as 'leading, foremost': literally 'counted on the fingers,' it presents a person or thing as one of the small handful of very best in its field, much like 有数.
- 一流いちりゅうno-adjectiveMarginal as a rendering of eminent: it means 'first-class, first-rate,' stressing top quality rather than fame or rank. Reach for it when eminent really means top-flight — a first-rate hotel or firm — not merely well known.
Use 著名 for the basic 'famous, renowned' sense of eminent; 有数 and 「指折り」 for people or things ranked among the leading few; 高位 for high rank or position; 一流 for first-rate quality rather than fame.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
See also
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