Japanese word

ベストセラー

Pronunciation

Romajibesutoserā

Meaning

nounbestseller

Example

毎月、新しいベストセラーが生まれます。mai tsuki atara shi i be su to se rā ga u ma re ma su

A new bestseller appears every month.

More examples

この作家の新作は、発売直後にベストセラーになりました。ko no sak ka no shin saku wa hatsu bai choku go ni be su to se rā ni na ri ma shi ta

The author's new book became a bestseller soon after its release.

Core concept

Describes a work whose sales rise far above those of comparable works and make it widely known.

Common phrases

ベストセラーになるbe su to se rā ni na ru
become a bestseller
ベストセラーを読むbe su to se rā o yo mu
read a bestseller
ベストセラーの作家be su to se rā no sak ka
bestselling author

Similar words

ヒット作hittosaku: A work that achieves strong sales or wide popularity.
ミリオンセラーmirionserā: A work that sells at least one million copies.
人気作ninkisaku: A work that is widely liked and attracts many readers or viewers.

Definition in Japanese

同種の本や作品の中で、特に売れ行きがよいもの。dō shu no hon ya saku hin no naka de toku ni u re yu ki ga yo i mo no

Word origin

ベストセラー (besuto serā, "bestseller") comes from the English compound bestseller, formed from best, meaning "the highest in degree," and seller, meaning "something that sells."

Usage tips

English uses bestseller as both a noun for a successful book and a modifier in bestseller list, while the word does not by itself judge the book's content.