該博

• Reading: がいはく
• Romaji: gaihaku
• Kanji breakdown: 該 (gai) — covering, pertaining to; 博 (haku) — broad, extensive, learned
• Pronunciation: /ɡai.ha.kɯ/

Meaning

Encyclopaedic; extensive and wide-ranging (knowledge). Used to describe someone whose learning covers an unusually broad range of fields.

A na-adjective meaning profound breadth of knowledge across many domains. Unlike 博識 (wide knowledge), 該博 emphasises comprehensiveness and thoroughness. It often appears in written evaluations of scholars or in literary descriptions of intellectual figures, and carries a tone of admiration.

Examples

1. 彼女の該博な知識に、聴衆は圧倒された。 The audience was overwhelmed by the breadth of her encyclopedic knowledge.
2. 該博な学識を持つ学者は、どの分野でも一目置かれる。 A scholar with extensive, wide-ranging learning commands respect in any field.
3. 師匠の該博ぶりに、弟子たちは畏敬の念を抱いた。 The master's extraordinary breadth of knowledge filled his disciples with awe.

Usage Guide

Context: academic writing, literary criticism, biography

Tone: admiring

Origin & History

Sino-Japanese compound. 該 carries the sense of 'covering' or 'encompassing', and 博 means 'broad' or 'extensive'. Together they express knowledge that comprehensively covers a wide range.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical–Modern

Generation: Adults

Social background: Academic/Literary