Japanese word

人物

Pronunciation

Romajijinbutsu

Meaning

  • nounperson

Example

有名な人物が講演します。yū mei na jin butsu ga kō en shi ma su

A famous person will give a speech.

Illustration for 人物 (person)

More examples

その人物について本で読みました。so no jin butsu ni tsu i te hon de yo mi ma shi ta

I read about that person in a book.

Core concept

Refers to a particular person considered as a distinct individual or as someone who plays a role in a story.

Common phrases

  • その人物so no jin butsu

    that person

  • 中心人物chū shin jin butsu

    central figure

  • 実在の人物jitsu zai no jin butsu

    real person

Similar words

人hito: An ordinary person considered as an individual in daily life.
人間ningen: A human being viewed as a member of society or as an individual.

Definition in Japanese

ある個人としての人、または物語や作品などに登場する人。a ru ko jin to shi te no hito ma ta wa monogatari ya saku hin na do ni tō jō su ru hito

Word origin

人物 (jinbutsu) combines 人 (jin, "person") with 物 (butsu, "thing"), forming a word for a person viewed as an individual or figure.

Usage tips

  • In simple conversation, 人物 (jinbutsu) often sounds formal, while 人 (hito) is the usual choice for an ordinary person.

Other meanings

  • characternoun
  • figurenoun

Word lists with this word