名人

• Reading: めいじん
• Romaji: meijin
• Kanji breakdown: 名 (mei) — famous, name; 人 (jin/hito) — person
• Pronunciation: /meː.dʑi.n/

Meaning

Master; expert; virtuoso. A person who has achieved exceptional skill in a field.

A noun referring to someone who has reached the highest level of mastery in a particular art, craft, sport, or skill. In shogi and go, 名人 is an official title given to the top-ranked player. Also used casually, as in 料理の名人 (a cooking master). Carries more respect than 上手 (skilled).

Examples

1. 祖父は将棋の名人と呼ばれていた。 My grandfather was known as a shogi master.
2. 彼は釣りの名人で、いつもたくさん釣る。 He's a fishing expert and always catches a ton.
3. 名人の技を見て感動した。 I was moved watching the master's technique.

Usage Guide

Context: traditional arts, sports, compliments

Tone: respectful

Origin & History

Composed of 名 (famous, name) and 人 (person). Literally 'famous person,' but specifically in the sense of someone renowned for their skill. Used as a formal title in traditional Japanese board games since the Edo period.

Cultural Context

Era: Edo period

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal