逸材
Meaning: Exceptional talent — a one-of-a-kind person whose abilities are outstanding and rare.
A formal-sounding word that packs a punch in casual contexts. 逸材 implies not just skill but rarity — this person is an extraordinary find. Often used in sports scouting, talent discussions, and fan culture with phrases like '10年に一人の逸材' (a talent that comes along once in a decade). Its slightly literary feel makes it a weighty, serious compliment.
Examples
- こんな逸材が同じ会社にいるなんて。 这样的杰出人才竟然在同一家公司。Quién iba a decir que un talento así estaría en la misma empresa.이런 인재가 같은 회사에 있다니.
- あの子は間違いなく逸材だよ。 那个人毫无疑问是个逸材。Esa persona es sin duda un talento excepcional.그 아이는 틀림없이 일재야.
- 10年に一人の逸材って言われてるらしい。 听说被称为十年一遇的逸材。Dicen que es un talento que aparece una vez cada diez años.10년에 한 명 나올 인재라고 불린다더라.
Pronunciation
/i.tsu.za.i/
Usage Guide
Context: sports, social media, workplace, fan culture
Tone: evaluative, impressed
✓ Do Say
- あの新人は逸材だよ、将来が楽しみ。 (That rookie is an exceptional talent — their future is exciting.)那个新人是个逸材,未来可期。(That rookie is an exceptional talent — their future is exciting.)Ese novato es un talento excepcional — su futuro promete mucho.그 신입은 일재야, 미래가 기대돼. (그 신입은 대단한 인재야 — 미래가 기대돼.)
- 逸材揃いのチームだね。 (It's a team full of exceptional talent.)这支队伍全是逸材啊。(It's a team full of exceptional talent.)Es un equipo lleno de talentos excepcionales.인재가 가득한 팀이네. (대단한 인재들로 가득한 팀이네.)
✗ Don't Say
- 本人に「逸材ですね」は堅すぎる場合がある (Saying 'itsuzai desu ne' directly can sound overly formal or evaluative)当面说'逸材ですね'有时会显得太正式或像在评价人(Saying 'itsuzai desu ne' directly can sound overly formal or evaluative)Decir 'itsuzai desu ne' directamente puede sonar demasiado formal o evaluativo본인에게 '逸材ですね'는 딱딱하게 들릴 수 있다 (직접 '일재시네요'라고 하면 지나치게 격식적이거나 평가하는 듯한 느낌을 줄 수 있음)
Common Mistakes
- Mispronouncing as いちざい instead of いつざい
Origin & History
From 逸 (outstanding/extraordinary, also means to escape/surpass) + 材 (talent/material). A classical compound that has been used in Japanese literary and formal language for centuries. Its use in sports scouting and casual fan culture gives it a modern edge.
Cultural Context
Era: Classical term, popular in modern sports and talent discourse
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
Regional notes: Used across all of Japan. Common in sports commentary and talent discussions.
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