名言

• Reading: めいげん
• Romaji: meigen
• Kanji breakdown: 名 (mei) — famous, notable; 言 (gen) — word, saying
• Pronunciation: /meː.ɡeɴ/

Meaning

Wise saying; famous quote; memorable remark that captures an important truth.

A noun referring to a well-known or insightful quotation. Used for quotes attributed to historical figures, authors, and public figures. Common in self-help, education, and motivational contexts. Collocations include 名言を残す (to leave behind a famous saying) and 名言集 (collection of famous quotes). Distinct from 格言 (proverb/maxim), which is more general.

Examples

1. その哲学者は数々の名言を残している。 That philosopher left behind many famous sayings.
2. 彼女のスピーチの一言が名言として広まった。 A line from her speech spread as a famous quote.
3. 名言を集めた本が若い世代に人気だ。 A book collecting famous quotes is popular among the younger generation.

Usage Guide

Context: education, literature, media, motivation

Tone: appreciative

Origin & History

From Sino-Japanese 名 (mei, famous/notable) + 言 (gen, word/saying). Literally 'famous words,' referring to quotations that have gained recognition for their wisdom or insight.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal