エリート

• Reading: エリート
• Romaji: eriito
• Pronunciation: /e.ɾiː.to/

Meaning

Elite; a person of superior ability or status. Often refers to top graduates or high-achieving professionals.

A loanword from French/English used as both a noun and adjective (エリートの). In Japanese, it specifically connotes someone from a prestigious university or in a high-status career path — エリートサラリーマン (elite businessman), エリートコース (fast-track career path). Can carry both admiration and subtle criticism of privilege.

Examples

1. 彼は有名大学を出たエリートだ。 He's an elite who graduated from a prestigious university.
2. エリート意識が強すぎると周りから嫌われる。 If you have too strong a sense of being elite, people around you will dislike you.
3. エリートコースを歩んできた彼女が突然退職した。 She had been on the fast track to success but suddenly resigned.

Usage Guide

Context: career, education, social commentary, business

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Borrowed from French 'élite' via English. Entered Japanese during the Meiji era as Western education models were adopted. In Japanese usage, it narrowed to emphasise academic and career prestige specifically.

Cultural Context

Era: Meiji period

Generation: All ages

Social background: Upper class