Japanese word

有望

Pronunciation

Romajiyūbō

Meaning

  • na-adjectivepromising

Example

この学生の将来は有望です。ko no gaku sei no shō rai wa yū bō de su

This student's future is promising.

Illustration for 有望 (promising)

More examples

その新人は有望な人材として注目されています。so no shin jin wa yū bō na jin zai to shi te chū moku sa re te i ma su

The newcomer is attracting attention as a promising talent.

Core concept

Describes a person or situation as having strong grounds for future success or development.

Common phrases

  • 有望な人材yū bō na jin zai

    promising talent

  • 有望な若手yū bō na waka te

    promising young talent

  • 有望な後継者yū bō na kō kei sha

    promising successor

Similar words

前途有望zentoyūbō: Describes a person whose abilities suggest a successful future.
有力yūryoku: Describes an option that has strong backing and is likely to be selected.

Definition in Japanese

将来の成功や発展が期待できること。shō rai no sei kō ya hat ten ga ki tai de ki ru ko to

Word origin

The Sino-Japanese compound combines 有 (yū, "have") and 望 (bō, "hope"), expressing the idea of having grounds for hope.

Usage tips

  • Unlike the English word promising, 有望 (yūbō) usually describes a person, plan, or future with good prospects rather than a promise made by someone.

Opposites

  • 絶望的zetsubōtekihopelessna-adjective

Related words

  • 有望視yūbōshiregard as promisingnoun

Word lists with this word