秀才|しゅうさいshuusai[0]heiban (flat)

1. no-adjectivebright person; talented student; prodigy
   エジソンは秀才しゅうさいではなかった。↗

   Edison was not a bright student.

• Synonym英才えいさいWrittenWritten/formal prose. Someone of outstanding talent, as in 「英才教育」; top students can also be called this. More solemn than 「秀才」.
• Synonym天才てんさいNeutralNeutral. Someone born with extraordinary ability — a level above 「秀才」; stresses innate gift, but doesn't rule out hard work.
• Synonym鬼才きさいNeutralNeutral. Talent beyond ordinary people, of a peculiar kind, as in 「鬼才監督」; leans toward artistic and creative fields.
• Synonym俊英しゅんえいWrittenWritten/formal prose. A person of outstanding ability, often a promising young achiever; not tied to schoolwork.
• Synonym逸材いつざいWrittenWritten/formal prose. An outstanding talent, as in 「期待の逸材」; usable in any field.
• Synonym英俊えいしゅんWrittenWritten/formal prose. Outstanding intellect; also a male given name. In Japanese it does not mean good-looking.
• Synonym俊才しゅんさいWrittenWritten/formal prose. A person of outstanding intellect; rare. Close to 「秀才」 but not limited to schoolwork.
• Synonym俊秀しゅんしゅうWrittenWritten/formal prose. Outstanding intellect; rare. Leans toward praising the person, and is more elegant than 「秀才」.
• Synonym異才いさいWrittenWritten/formal prose. An unconventional, one-of-a-kind talent, as in 「映画界の異才」; stresses uniqueness, not diligence.
• Synonym賢才けんさいWrittenWritten/formal prose. A wise, able person; rare. Leans toward wisdom in handling affairs rather than being a good student.
• Synonym俊逸しゅんいつWrittenWritten/formal prose. Exceptional brilliance; rare. Leans toward flair and talent, without stressing academic results.
• Synonym俊豪しゅんごうWrittenWritten/formal prose. An outstanding figure of both talent and virtue; very rare, and leans classical.
• Synonym俊士しゅんしWrittenWritten/formal prose. A person of outstanding talent; very rare. Same sense as 「俊才」, with an archaic, elegant flavor.
• Synonym奇才きさいNeutralNeutral. A talent rare in this world, as in 「天下の奇才」; stresses uniqueness, and says nothing about diligence.
• Synonym才子さいしNeutralNeutral. A gifted, clever person, as in 「才子佳人」; usually a man. Close to 「秀才」 but not specifically about being a good student.
• Synonym俊傑しゅんけつWrittenWritten/formal prose. A heroic figure of outstanding intellect; rare, but a top student can also be called this. More forceful than 「秀才」.
• Synonym大才たいさいWrittenWritten/formal prose. Great talent and great capacity; rare. Does not stress academic excellence.
• Synonym能才のうさいWrittenWritten/formal prose. A capable, able person; rare. Leans toward getting things done rather than scholarship.
• RelatedブレーンNeutralNeutral loanword. The brains behind an operation, an advisor, as in 「首相のブレーン」; leans toward behind-the-scenes strategizing.
• Related頭脳ずのうNeutralNeutral. The head, brains, intellect, as in 「頭脳明晰」; also a mastermind-type person, leaning toward thinking power.
• RelatedジーニアスNeutralNeutral loanword for genius; uncommon in daily speech, seen mostly in product and work titles.
• Related知嚢ちのうWrittenWritten/formal prose. A person rich in ideas, a brain trust; rare. In everyday speech one says 「知恵袋」.
• Antonym凡才ぼんさいWrittenAntonym. Written/formal prose for ordinary, mediocre ability — the opposite of the academic excellence of 「秀才」.

For innate, extraordinary talent, say 「天才」. For someone outstanding in learning or ability — often a good student, as in 「学校一の秀才」 — say 「秀才」. For a peculiar, unconventional talent say 「鬼才」; for mediocrity say 「凡才」. Most other options here are written/formal prose and rare.

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

1. 学問がくもんや才能さいのうに秀ひいでていること。また、そのような人ひと。
2. 科挙かきょの科目かもく又または科挙かきょに関連かんれんする人ひとの呼称こしょう。
3. (漢代かんだいから唐代とうだい)科挙かきょの科目かもくの一ひとつ。
4. (唐代とうだい後期こうきから明代あきよにかけて)科挙かきょ応募者おうぼしゃの通称つうしょう。
5. (明清みんしん代だい)科挙かきょの最初さいしょの段階だんかいに試験しけん(県けん試み、府ふ試み、院いん試み)に合格ごうかくした者もの。生なま員いん。
6. 律令制りつりょうせいにおける官人かんにん登用とうよう試験しけん試験しけんの一ひとつ。後あとに対策たいさくとも呼よばれた。