名人|めいじんmeijin[3]nakadaka (mid-high)

1. nounmaster; expert
   彼女かのじょの夫おっとは料理りょうりの名人めいじんなのだ。↗

   Her husband is an excellent cook.
2. noun, shogi, goMeijin (professional title)
3. noun, card gamesMeijin (highest title for male players in competitive karuta)

• Synonym達人たつじんNeutralSomeone deeply versed in learning or an art, as in 「剣の達人」; close to 「名人」, but also used for a person of worldly wisdom, and it is not an official title.
• SynonymエキスパートNeutralLoanword for an expert in a particular field, as in 「ITのエキスパート」; leans toward specialized knowledge.
• Synonym専門家せんもんかNeutralA person with expert knowledge and skills in a field, as in 「医療の専門家」; does not stress exceptional artistry.
• SynonymマエストロWrittenWritten loanword for a master of music or the arts, especially a celebrated conductor; narrow in use.
• Synonym巨匠きょしょうWrittenWritten word for a great master in the arts, as in 「映画界の巨匠」; stresses achievement and standing more than 「名人」.
• Synonym玄人くろうとNeutralAn insider or pro, the opposite of 「素人」, as in 「玄人好み」; stresses doing it for a living.
• Synonym名手めいしゅNeutralA person of outstanding skill, as in 「ギターの名手」; very close to 「名人」, leaning toward instruments and sports.
• Synonym熟練者じゅくれんしゃNeutralA proficient, experienced practitioner; the emphasis is on degree of proficiency, while 「名人」 stresses exceptional skill.
• RelatedチャンピオンNeutralLoanword for a competition champion; the point is winning the title, whereas 「名人」 points to outstanding skill.
• Related巧者こうしゃWrittenWritten term for a person adept at handling things, as in 「試合巧者」 or 「世渡り巧者」.
• Related妙手みょうしゅNeutralA person of superb skill, or a brilliant move in go or shogi; leans toward written usage.
• RelatedエースNeutralLoanword for a team's ace, its star player; stresses one's standing within the team.
• RelatedスペシャリストNeutralLoanword for a specialist in a particular field; the counterpart of 「ゼネラリスト」.
• RelatedナンバーワンNeutralLoanword for number one, the best of all; the point is ranking.
• Related手練れてだれNeutralA seasoned, highly skilled hand, mostly in the martial arts, as in 「手練れの剣士」; carries an old-fashioned flavor.
• Antonym凡人ぼんじんNeutralAn ordinary, unremarkable person; the opposite of the exceptionally skilled 「名人」.
• Antonym素人しろうとNeutralA layman or amateur; the opposite of 「名人」 and 「玄人」.
• Antonym初心者しょしんしゃNeutralA beginner or novice; opposed to 「名人」 in level of skill.

Use 「名人」 for a person of exceptional skill or for the go and shogi title. For mastery of an art say 「達人」, for expert knowledge 「専門家」, for a seasoned pro 「玄人」, and for a great master of the arts 「巨匠」. The opposites are 「素人」 and 「初心者」.

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

1. 技芸ぎげいの優すぐれた人ひと。
2. 江戸えど時代じだい、囲碁いご・将棋しょうぎで九きゅう段だんの者ものに与あたえられた称号しょうごう。
3. 将棋しょうぎのタイトルの一ひとつ。
4. 囲碁いごのタイトルの一ひとつ。