代表作(だいひょうさく)

代表作(だいひょうさく) 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(だいひょう) (representative) + 作(さく) (work/creation)

Common patterns

• 〜の代表作(だいひょうさく): someone's representative work
• 代表作(だいひょうさく)として知(し)られる: known as someone's signature work
• 代表作(だいひょうさく)に挙(あ)げられる: cited as a representative work

Similar words

• 傑作(けっさく): masterpiece (emphasizes quality)
• 名作(めいさく): famous work, classic
• 最高傑作(さいこうけっさく): greatest masterpiece

Usage

代表作(だいひょうさく) is commonly used when introducing or discussing artists, directors, and authors. A person can have multiple 代表作(だいひょうさく).