天才(てんさい)

てんさい
noun
genius; prodigy
person
See also: 転載(てんさい) (reposting (homophone))
1. genius; prodigy
A person with exceptional natural ability or intelligence.
彼(かれ)は天才(てんさい)だ。
He is a genius.
音楽(おんがく)の天才(てんさい)です。
He/She is a musical genius.
天才(てんさい)は努力(どりょく)も大切(たいせつ)だと言(い)う。
Geniuses say that hard work matters too.

天才(てんさい) refers to extraordinary natural talent or a person possessing such talent — a genius or prodigy.

Etymology

天(てん) (heaven) + 才(さい) (talent). Literally "heavenly talent" — ability granted by nature rather than effort.

Common expressions

  • 天才(てんさい)的(てき): genius-like, brilliant
  • 天才(てんさい)児(じ): child prodigy
  • 天才(てんさい)肌(はだ): having a genius temperament

Similar words

Related Words

Compare: 秀才(しゅうさい) (talented through effort)
Related: 才能(さいのう) (talent, ability)
Compare: 鬼才(きさい) (extraordinary talent, maverick genius)
Related: 英才教育(えいさいきょういく) (education for gifted children)
Compare: 才人(さいじん) (talented person)
Compare: 俊才(しゅんさい) (talented person)
Compare: 巨匠(きょしょう) (great master)
general
Added 2026.2.4 19:52 · Revised 2026.10.6 3:21
09500/09934_tensai