How to say "epitome" in Japanese

• 典型てんけいJLPT N3approx.Common
  nounThe 'perfect example' sense: a person or thing that typifies a quality, as in 'the epitome of elegance'. This is the common word for that idea; it does not cover the 'summary' sense.
  彼女かのじょはあらゆる婦徳ふとくの典型てんけいである。↗

  She incarnates all womanly virtues.
• 要略ようりゃく
  noun, suru verb, transitive verbThe 'summary' sense: a condensed outline of a text's main points. This is the closest match for 'epitome' meaning a brief digest of a document or book, not a person embodying a quality.
• 摘記てっき
  noun, suru verb, transitive verbCovers the 'summary' sense, but its core meaning is 'summarization': a written summary made by extracting the main points. For 'epitome' as a condensed version of a work, it is seldom the word you want.
• 概言がいげん
  noun, suru verbBelongs to the 'summary' family but leans toward 'general remarks' and 'abstract': a broad account in words rather than a condensed epitome. A marginal choice when you specifically want 'epitome'.

For 'epitome' as a perfect example or embodiment of a quality, use 典型; for 'epitome' as a condensed summary of a text, 要略 is the closest fit, with 摘記 and 概言 less common, more marginal alternatives.

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

• 典型てんけいtype
• 要略ようりゃくepitome
• 摘記てっきsummarization
• 概言がいげんsummary