斬新|ざんしんzanshin[0]heiban (flat)

1. na-adjective, nounnovel; original; new; innovative
   これはいわゆる斬新ざんしんなアイデアです。↗

   This is what we call a "brand new idea".

• Synonym新しいあたらしいNeutralThe all-purpose word for 'new'; it does not have to imply uniqueness, while 「斬新」 stresses ideas or designs unlike anything before.
• Synonym新奇しんきWrittenWritten prose. Means novel and rare, stressing the sense of rarity rather than ingenuity of conception.
• Synonym目新しいめあたらしいNeutralDescribes something that looks fresh or uncommon, stressing the freshness of a first encounter rather than bold originality.
• Synonym独創的どくそうてきNeutralEmphasizes originality and the power to create; close to 「斬新」 in meaning.
• Synonym新たあらたWrittenLeans toward written prose. Means new or renewed, as in 「新たな一歩」, stressing renewal; 「斬新」 stresses novel ideas.
• Synonym革新的かくしんてきNeutralInnovative in the sense of reform; said mostly of technology or policy, stressing the overhaul of old systems.
• RelatedオリジナルNeutralLoanword for 'original' or one-of-a-kind; stresses uniqueness, and can also refer to the original thing itself.
• Related画期的かっきてきNeutralEpoch-making, as in 「画期的な発明」; stresses opening up a new era.
• RelatedクリエイティブNeutralLoanword for 'creative'; leans toward the advertising and design industries.
• Related新鮮しんせんNeutralMeans fresh, as in 「新鮮な野菜」 or 「新鮮な感覚」; stresses vivid freshness.
• Related奇抜きばつNeutralStrikingly unusual and eye-catching, with a hint of eccentricity; 「斬新」 is the more positive of the two.
• Related新式しんしきNeutralNew in form or method, as in 「新式の教育法」 or 「新式の機械」; it does not stress creativity, unlike 「斬新」 with its unprecedented ideas.
• RelatedモダンNeutralLoanword meaning modern or stylish; carries the feel of a period style.
• Related独特どくとくNeutralStresses uniqueness — belonging only to that person or thing — but not necessarily newness, which is what 「斬新」 highlights.
• Related清新せいしんWrittenWritten prose. Means fresh and refreshing, said mainly of writing style or atmosphere.
• Related個性的こせいてきNeutralStresses standing out as an individual rather than being new; can describe people.
• Related創造的そうぞうてきNeutralEmphasizes the ability to create, not just a novel outward appearance.
• Related型破りかたやぶりNeutralStresses breaking with convention rather than novelty itself; can describe people.
• Related真新しいまあたらしいNeutralBrand new, as in 「真新しい靴」; stresses that something has never been used.
• Related独自どくじNeutralOne's own or distinctive; stresses doing something independently, by oneself.
• Related一風変わったいっぷうかわったNeutralSet phrase for being a little out of the ordinary; the degree is mild and the tone not necessarily positive.
• Related今めかしいいまめかしいWrittenMeans fashionable or up-to-date, but the word is archaic, rarely used today and found mostly in classical literature.
• Antonym古臭いふるくさいNeutralAntonym. Stale and old-fashioned, the direct opposite of the novelty of 「斬新」.

Use 「斬新」 for ideas or designs that are unprecedented and refreshingly new, as in 「斬新なアイデア」 or 「斬新なデザイン」. For plain newness say 「新しい」, epoch-making 「画期的」, originality 「独創的」; the antonym is 「古臭い」. 「新奇」, 「清新」, 「新た」 and 「今めかしい」 suit written prose; 「オリジナル」, 「クリエイティブ」 and 「モダン」 are loanwords. 「独特」 and 「個性的」 stress uniqueness, not newness; 「奇抜」 and 「一風変わった」 add a quirky touch; 「新鮮」 freshness; 「真新しい」 brand-new; 「独自」 independence; 「革新的」 reform; 「型破り」 unconventional; 「創造的」 creativity; 「目新しい」 first-glance freshness.

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

1. （元もとは、「嶄新」、「嶄」は「ひときわ」の意い）従来じゅうらいの物ものとは性質せいしつや方法ほうほうが異ことなり、新あたらしい様子ようす。