How to say "exemplary" in Japanese

• 模範的もはんてきCommon
  na-adjectiveCovers the core sense of 'exemplary': praiseworthy behavior, or a person so good that others should imitate them. Typical in praise of conduct, discipline, or service.
• 代表的だいひょうてきCommon
  na-adjectivePrimarily means 'representative' or 'typical': a characteristic instance of a group. Its 'exemplary' gloss covers only this example-giving sense, without praise, so it is seldom the word for commendable conduct.
  彼かれはその時代じだいの代表的だいひょうてき人物じんぶつだった。↗

  He typified the times in which he lived.

Use 模範的 for the praise sense of 'exemplary' — conduct or a person worthy of imitation — and 代表的 only for the 'typical, representative example' sense, since it primarily means 'representative' and carries no commendatory nuance.

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

• 模範的もはんてきexemplary
• 代表的だいひょうてきrepresentative