How to say "masterpiece" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 名作めいさくnounThe most neutral, all-purpose word for a masterpiece — a work of art, film, literature, or any creative work judged to be of the highest quality. Use this when you simply mean 'a masterpiece'.
- 傑作けっさくnounAlso a general word for a masterpiece or fine piece of work, often with a nuance of an outstanding achievement by a particular creator, as in 'his finest work'. Largely interchangeable with 名作.
- 絶品ぜっぴんno-adjectiveEmphasizes exquisite, superb quality — closer to 'perfection' or 'an exquisite item'. Often used for food or crafts rather than works of art, so it is not always the natural choice for 'masterpiece'.
- 名著めいちょnounRestricted to books: a famous or outstanding literary work. Use it only when 'masterpiece' refers to a written work, never for paintings, films, or other media.
- 名画めいがnounRestricted to pictures: a famous or outstanding painting. Use it only when 'masterpiece' refers to a painting or pictorial work, not to literature or art in general.
Use 名作 or 傑作 for masterpieces in general, 名著 for books, 名画 for paintings, and 絶品 when praising something as an exquisite, superb piece of work.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
- 名作めいさくmasterpiece
- 傑作けっさくmasterpiece
- 絶品ぜっぴんsuperb piece of work
- 名著めいちょfamous book
- 名画めいがfamous picture
- 名品めいひんfine article
- 快作かいさくsplendid work
- 代表作だいひょうさくmost important work (of a writer, artist, etc.)
- 逸品いっぴんexcellent article
- マスターピースmasterpiece
- 雄編ゆうへんmasterpiece
- 最高傑作さいこうけっさくmasterpiece
- 神品しんぴんinspired work
- 佳品かひんchoice article
- 上作じょうさくgood crop
- 名曲めいきょくfamous piece of music
- 大作たいさくmonumental work
- 大著たいちょgreat work
- 神作しんさくmasterpiece
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