Japanese Conversation · Level 51
90 words
Japanese word
無名
Pronunciation
Romajimumei
Meaning
- noununknown
Example
この町には無名の画家がいます。ko no machi ni wa mu mei no ga ka ga i ma su
There is an unknown painter in this town.
More examples
その店は開業当初、まだ無名でした。so no mise wa kai gyō tō sho ma da mu mei de shi ta
The shop was still unknown when it first opened.
Core concept
Centers on having no established public name, whether because a person is little known or because the name is not identified.
Common phrases
無名の作家mu mei no sak ka
unknown writer
無名で終わるmu mei de o wa ru
end up unknown
Similar words
匿名tokumei: A state in which a person's name is intentionally not disclosed to the public.
Definition in Japanese
世間に名声が広まっていないこと。se ken ni mei sei ga hiro ma tte i na i ko to
Word origin
The Sino-Japanese noun 無名 (mumei) is formed from 無 (mu, "without") and 名 (mei, "name"), so its basic sense is being without a recognized name.
Usage tips
- Unlike anonymous, 無名 (mumei) usually highlights a lack of public fame rather than a deliberately concealed identity.
Other meanings
- anonymousnoun
- namelessnoun
Opposites
- 有名yūmeifamousna-adjective
Related words
- 無名性mumeiseianonymitynoun