Japanese word

著名

Pronunciation

Romajichomei

Meaning

  • na-adjectivefamous

Example

彼は著名な作家です。kare wa cho mei na sak ka de su

He is a famous writer.

Illustration for 著名 (famous)

More examples

その研究者は海外でも著名です。so no ken kyū sha wa kai gai de mo cho mei de su

That researcher is also famous overseas.

Core concept

Describes a person, work, or thing whose name is widely recognized and whose standing is well established.

Common phrases

  • 著名な俳優cho mei na hai yū

    famous actor

  • 著名な画家cho mei na ga ka

    famous painter

  • 著名になるcho mei ni na ru

    become famous

Similar words

有名yūmei: Known by many people and recognized in ordinary conversation and writing.
高名kōmyō: Widely known and regarded with respect, mainly in formal descriptions of people.

Definition in Japanese

世間に広く知られているさま。se ken ni hiro ku shi ra re te i ru sa ma

Word origin

The Sino-Japanese compound 著名 (chomei) combines 著 (cho, "conspicuous") and 名 (mei, "name") to express the idea of a conspicuous name.

Usage tips

  • The formal word 著名 (chomei) commonly appears in biographies, news reports, and introductions rather than in casual self-description.

Other meanings

  • prominentna-adjective

Opposites

Related words

  • 著名度chomeidofamenoun

Word lists with this word