ベテラン

べてらん
noun
veteran, seasoned professional
1. veteran, seasoned professional, experienced person
A person with extensive experience and skill in a particular field. Used as both a noun and a modifier with の.
ベテランの運転手(うんてんしゅ)だ。
He's a veteran driver.
彼女(かのじょ)はこの業界(ぎょうかい)二十年(にじゅうねん)のベテランだ。
She's a twenty-year veteran in this industry.
ベテランの技術(ぎじゅつ)(わか)世代(せだい)にどう(つた)えるかが課題(かだい)だ。
The challenge is how to pass on veteran expertise to the younger generation.

USAGE:
Always positive in connotation, implying skill and reliability gained through long experience. Unlike English "veteran," it does not refer to military veterans (for which 退役軍人(たいえきぐんじん) is used).

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • ベテランの社員(しゃいん) (veteran employee)
  • ベテラン選手(せんしゅ) (veteran player/athlete)
  • ベテラン俳優(はいゆう) (seasoned actor)
  • (だい)ベテラン (a great veteran, someone with very long experience)

ETYMOLOGY:
From English "veteran." The Japanese usage focuses on professional experience rather than military service.