Translation and Meaning of: 名人 - meijin

The word 「名人」 (meijin) is a Japanese expression composed of two kanji: 「名」 which means "name" or "fame", and 「人」 which means "person" or "individual". Together, these characters form the term that can be translated as "master", "expert", or "virtuoso". This word is used to describe someone who is highly skilled or very experienced in a particular area, whether it be an art, a craft, or a profession.

The origin of the word dates back to ancient times in Japan, during which masters in various skills were highly respected and admired. The 「名人」 were often called to demonstrate their skills at events and ceremonies, and many were even associated with clan traditions or schools of martial arts, music, or calligraphy. The idea of being a meijin is often associated with achieving excellence through dedicated practice and long experience.

In the modern world, the term is still widely used and continues to maintain its significance. In the context of board games, for example, 「名人」 is a respected title given to the best players of shogi (Japanese chess) or go. In skill competitions, such as in Kabuki theater or tea ceremonies, being referred to as meijin is a mark of recognition and honor. However, it is not limited to just arts and games; any competitive or creative field can have its own meijin, celebrated for their contributions and exceptional skills.

The status of meijin is often achieved over the years and through intense dedication to the art or craft in question. The word invokes an implicit respect and a reverence for the mastery acquired, serving as a tribute to the perseverance and talent of individuals who have reached such heights. Thus, being called meijin in any cultural or professional sphere in Japan is a great honor and a symbol of recognition for effort and skill.

Vocabulary

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Synonyms and similar words

• 達人 (Tatsujin) - Specialist or master in a specific area.
• 巨匠 (Kyoshō) - Renowned master, often in arts or crafts.
• 鬼才 (Kisai) - Creative genius, with exceptional skill or talent.
• 大家 (Ooya) - Master or authority in a certain discipline or field.
• 神童 (Shindō) - Child prodigy, with extraordinary talents from an early age.
• 達成者 (Tasseisha) - That person who achieves or fulfills their goals, especially in a more practical sense.

名人

Romaji: meijin
Kana: めいじん
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n3

Translation / Meaning: teacher; specialist

Meaning in English: master;expert

Definition: A person who has excellent skills or knowledge in a specific area.

Example Sentences - (名人) meijin

See below some example sentences:

この料理は名人の手によって作られました。

Kono ryōri wa meijin no te ni yotte tsukuraremashita

This dish was made by a master chef.

This dish was made by the master.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
• 料理 - noun that means "cuisine" or "dish"
• は - Topic tag that indicates the subject of the sentence, in this case "this cuisine"
• 名人 - noun that means "specialist" or "master"
• の - possessive particle indicating the possession relationship, in this case "of the master"
• 手 - noun that means "hand" or "skill"
• によって - "done by the hands of the master"
• 作られました - passive verb in the past form that means "was done" or "was prepared"