ベテラン

べてらん
noun
veteran, seasoned professional
person
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.
ベテラン運転手(うんてんしゅ)だ。
He's a veteran driver.
彼女(かのじょ)この業界(ぎょうかい)二十年(にじゅうねん)ベテランだ。
She's a twenty-year veteran in this industry.
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

Etymology

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