Japanese word

エリート

Pronunciation

Romajierīto

Meaning

nounelite

Example

社会のエリートが大きな責任を負います。sha kai no e rī to ga ō ki na seki nin o o i ma su

The elite in society bear great responsibility.

More examples

政治家は、エリートだけでなく幅広い人々の声を聞く必要があります。sei ji ka wa e rī to da ke de na ku haba hiro i hito bito no koe o ki ku hitsu yō ga a ri ma su

Politicians need to listen to a wide range of people, not just the elite.

Core concept

Describes a person or group regarded as especially capable or influential within a larger society or group.

Common phrases

エリート候補e rī to kō ho
elite candidate
エリート意識e rī to i shiki
elite consciousness
エリート層e rī to sō
the elite class

Similar words

精鋭seiei: A person or group distinguished by exceptional skill or ability.
有力者yūryokusha: A person with strong influence or power in a society or organization.
上流階級jōryūkaikyū: A social class with high economic status, social standing, or privilege.

Definition in Japanese

社会や集団の中で、能力や地位などが特に優れていると見なされる人々。sha kai ya shū dan no naka de nō ryoku ya chi i na do ga toku ni sugu re te i ru to mi na sa re ru hito bito

Word origin

The Japanese noun エリート (erīto) is borrowed from English elite, which comes through French élite from Latin eligere, "to choose".

Usage tips

In English, elite often appears before a noun in phrases such as elite athletes, so it can describe exceptional ability as well as social status.

Opposites

庶民shomincommon peoplenoun

Related words

エリート主義erītoshugielitismnoun
エリート化erītokaelitizationnoun