Japanese word

名物

Pronunciation

Romajimeibutsu

Meaning

  • nounspecialty

Example

この町の名物はりんごです。ko no machi no mei butsu wa ri n go de su

This town's specialty is apples.

Illustration for 名物 (specialty)

More examples

この店では、地元の名物を手軽に味わえます。ko no mise de wa ji moto no mei butsu o te garu ni aji wa e ma su

At this restaurant, you can easily try a local specialty.

Core concept

Describes something whose strong association with a particular place or group makes it a well-known representative item.

Common phrases

  • 名物の一つmei butsu no hito tsu

    one of the specialties

  • 地元の名物ji moto no mei butsu

    local specialty

  • 名物を味わうmei butsu o aji wa u

    try a specialty

Similar words

名産meisan: A famous product or dish closely associated with a particular place.
特産品tokusanhin: A product made in a particular place and recognized as part of its local character.

Definition in Japanese

その土地や店を代表するものとして広く知られている品物や食べ物。so no to chi ya mise o dai hyō su ru mo no to shi te hiro ku shi ra re te i ru shina mono ya ta be mono

Word origin

名物 (meibutsu) is a compound of 名 (mei, "fame") and 物 (butsu, "thing"), meaning a thing famous for its connection with a place or group.

Usage tips

  • English speakers may associate specialty mainly with a skill or area of expertise, while 名物 (meibutsu) commonly points to a famous local dish, product, or attraction.

Other meanings

  • famous productnoun

Word lists with this word