際立つ|きわだつkiwadatsu[3]nakadaka (mid-high)

Common
Definitions
  1. godan verb, intransitive verbto be prominent; to be conspicuous; to stand out; to be outstanding; to be remarkable; to be striking; to be notable
    その二ふたつの考かんがえの対照たいしょうは非常ひじょうに際立きわだっている。↗
    The contrast between the two ideas is very marked.
Conjugation
Dictionary form際立つ(きわだつ)
Polite (masu)際立ちます(きわだちます)
Negative (nai)際立たない(きわだたない)
polite (masen)際立ちません(きわだちません)
classical zu / nu際立たず・際立たぬ(きわだたず・きわだたぬ)
Past (ta)際立った(きわだった)
polite (mashita)際立ちました(きわだちました)
Past negative (nakatta)際立たなかった(きわだたなかった)
polite (masen deshita)際立ちませんでした(きわだちませんでした)
Te form際立って(きわだって)
Potential際立てる(きわだてる)
Passive際立たれる(きわだたれる)
Causative際立たせる(きわだたせる)
Causative passive際立たせられる・際立たされる(きわだたせられる・きわだたされる)
Conditional (ba)際立てば(きわだてば)
tara際立ったら(きわだったら)
Volitional際立とう(きわだとう)
polite (mashou)際立ちましょう(きわだちましょう)
Imperative際立て(きわだて)

Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.

Synonyms & antonyms
  • Synonym飛び抜けるとびぬけるNeutralA verb for being outstanding, stressing how far one exceeds the ordinary level, as in 「飛び抜けて優秀」.
  • Synonym傑出けっしゅつWrittenA written word for eminence, stressing outstanding talent in a person, as in 「傑出した人物」.
  • Synonym秀でるひいでるWrittenA written verb for excelling or being adept at something, as in 「一芸に秀でる」.
  • Synonym並外れるなみはずれるNeutralA verb for being extraordinary, stressing a degree beyond what is normal for people.
  • Synonym超絶ちょうぜつWrittenA written word for transcendent excellence, stressing extremely high skill, as in 「超絶技巧」.
  • Synonym目立つめだつNeutralThe everyday verb for being conspicuous, stressing catching the eye — not necessarily for anything excellent.
  • Synonym抜きん出るぬきんでるNeutralA verb for far outstripping everyone else, focused on exceptional ability; 「際立つ」 is about standing out vividly against one's surroundings.
  • Synonym図抜けるずぬけるNeutralA colloquial verb for towering above the crowd, stressing how large the gap is, as in 「図抜けた才能」.
  • Synonym抜き出るぬきでるWrittenA written verb for surpassing and excelling others, stressing rising high above what surrounds it.
  • Synonymずば抜けるずばぬけるNeutralA colloquial verb for being exceptional, stressing being far ahead of the rest.
  • Synonym特出とくしゅつWrittenA rare written word for special prominence, stressing excellence; today 「突出」 is the usual word.
  • Related優れるすぐれるNeutralA verb for being superior, stressing good ability or quality.
  • Related卓抜たくばつWrittenA written word for preeminence, stressing exceptional ideas or talent.
  • Related突出とっしゅつWrittenA written word for prominence, stressing figures or one particular aspect standing out especially.
  • Related優越ゆうえつWrittenA written word for superiority, stressing an advantaged position over others, as in 「優越感」.
  • Related光るひかるNeutralA verb for shining, also used figuratively for talent that sparkles, as in 「才能が光る」.
  • Related超越ちょうえつWrittenA written word for going far beyond ordinary levels or bounds, as in 「時代を超越する」; also a philosophical term. 「際立つ」 is about standing out against one's surroundings.
  • Related勝るまさるNeutralA verb for surpassing, stressing coming out ahead in a comparison, as in 「何物にも勝る」.
  • Related凌駕りょうがWrittenA written word for surpassing, stressing overwhelming or overriding a rival.
  • Related立ち勝るたちまさるWrittenAn old-fashioned, rare verb for being superior; today 「勝る」 is the usual word.
  • Antonym目立たないNeutralAntonym: being inconspicuous, the opposite of standing out vividly.

Use 「際立つ」 when something stands out vividly in contrast with its surroundings, as in 「際立った美しさ」 or 「違いが際立つ」. For simply being noticeable, say 「目立つ」; for outstanding ability, 「抜きん出る」 or 「ずば抜ける」; for eminence, 「傑出」. The opposite is 「目立たない」.

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

Japanese definitions
  1. 他ほかのものより目立めだつ。
Kanji in this word
See also

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