名 人(めいじん)

めいじん

noun

master, expert

1. master, expert, virtuoso

Someone who has achieved mastery in a particular skill or art.

彼(かれ)は料理(りょうり)の名人(めいじん)だ。

He is a master chef.

節約(せつやく)名人(めいじん)と呼(よ)ばれている。

I'm called a master of saving money.

Often used semi-humorously

祖母(そぼ)は漬物(つけもの)づくりの名人(めいじん)で、近所(きんじょ)でも評判(ひょうばん)だ。

My grandmother is an expert at making pickles and is well known in the neighborhood.

2. title holder (in games like shogi or go)

The holder of the highest title in traditional Japanese board games.

将棋(しょうぎ)の名人(めいじん)戦(せん)が始(はじ)まった。

The shogi Meijin championship has begun.

今年(ことし)の名人(めいじん)は若手(わかて)の棋士(きし)が獲得(かくとく)した。

A young player won the Meijin title this year.

囲碁(いご)の名人(めいじん)戦(せん)は毎年(まいとし)秋(あき)に行(おこな)われる。

The go Meijin championship is held every autumn.

Can refer to serious expertise or be used somewhat humorously for everyday skills.

TYPES OF 名人(めいじん):

将棋(しょうぎ)名人(めいじん) (shogi master/title holder)
囲碁(いご)名人(めいじん) (go master/title holder)
料理(りょうり)名人(めいじん) (master chef)
節約(せつやく)名人(めいじん) (expert at saving money)
言(い)い訳(わけ)名人(めいじん) (expert at making excuses)

Title usage

In 将棋(しょうぎ) and 囲碁(いご), 名人(めいじん) is one of the highest titles, earned through championship tournaments.

Similar words

達人(たつじん) (master, expert)
専門家(せんもんか) (specialist)

Related Words

Synonym: 達人(たつじん) (master, expert)

Synonym: 専門家(せんもんか) (specialist)

Compare: 師範(しはん) (master instructor)

Compare: 棋士(きし) (professional shogi or go player)

Compare: 名手(めいしゅ) (master)

general

Added 2026.1.12 21:48 · Revised 2026.9.2 12:02

03500/03753_meijin