1.
representative work; masterpiece; signature work
A work that best represents an artist, author, or creator's body of work; their most notable creation.
代表作 is the work that best represents an artist, author, director, or other creator. It is not necessarily their "best" work, but the one most closely identified with them.
Etymology
代表 (representative) + 作 (work/creation)
Common patterns
- 〜の代表作: someone's representative work
- 代表作として知られる: known as a masterpiece
- 代表作に挙げられる: cited as a representative work
Similar words
Usage
代表作 is commonly used when introducing or discussing artists, directors, and authors. A person can have multiple 代表作.
Related Words
Related:
傑作 (masterpiece)
Related:
名作 (famous work)
Compare:
代表曲 (signature song)
Compare:
前作 (previous work)