Japanese Conversation · Level 134
61 words
Japanese word
通
Pronunciation
Romajitsū
Meaning
- nounconnoisseur
Example
姉は本当の通です。ane wa hon tō no tsū de su
My sister is a true connoisseur.
More examples
彼は料理の通なので、店選びを任せられます。kare wa ryō ri no tsū na no de mise era bi o maka se ra re ma su
He is a connoisseur of food, so we can leave the choice of restaurant to him.
Core concept
Describes someone whose deep familiarity with a field allows them to recognize its finer qualities.
Common phrases
通になるtsū ni na ru
become a connoisseur
通の店tsū no mise
a restaurant favored by connoisseurs
通をうならせるtsū o u na ra se ru
impress connoisseurs
Similar words
目利きmekiki: A person who can accurately judge quality and subtle differences in a field.
事情通jijōtōri: A person who knows the customs and details of a particular field well.
達人tatsujin: A person with very high skill gained through mastery of a field.
専門家senmonka: A person with professional knowledge or skill in a particular field.
Definition in Japanese
ある分野の事情や価値をよく知り、詳しく通じている人。a ru bun ya no ji jō ya ka chi o yo ku shi ri kuwa shi ku tsū ji te i ru hito
Word origin
通 (tsū) is the Sino-Japanese reading of 通, "to pass through" or "to be well versed"; the noun sense comes from being thoroughly familiar with a field.
Usage tips
- Unlike the English word connoisseur, 通 (tsū) can suggest insider knowledge of a subculture or way of life, not only expert taste in food or art.
Other meanings
- expertnoun
Opposites
- 素人shirōtoamateurnoun
Related words
- 通人tsūjinconnoisseurnoun
- 通ぶるtsūburupretend to be a connoisseurverb