異名(いみょう)

いみょう
noun
alias, another name, epithet
communication
1. alias, another name, epithet, nickname
An alternative name given to a person, place, or thing, often based on a notable characteristic. Unlike casual nicknames, 異名(いみょう) tends to be descriptive or literary in nature — more like a title or epithet.
彼(かれ)は「鬼(おに)コーチ」の異名(いみょう)を持(も)つ。
He has the epithet 'demon coach.'
京都(きょうと)は「千年(せんねん)の都(みやこ)」という異名(いみょう)で知(し)られている。
Kyoto is known by the epithet 'the thousand-year capital.'
その武将(ぶしょう)は戦場(せんじょう)での勇(いさ)ましさから「虎(とら)」の異名(いみょう)を取(と)り、敵(てき)からも味方(みかた)からも恐(おそ)れられていた。
That military commander earned the epithet 'the tiger' for his bravery on the battlefield and was feared by both enemies and allies.

Pronunciation

Also read as いめい, but いみょう is more common in modern usage.

Usage

Often appears with を持(も)つ (to have), を取(と)る (to earn/take), or で知(し)られる (to be known by). Used for impressive or fearsome names rather than casual nicknames. Common in sports, historical, and literary contexts.

Similar words

  • あだ名(な): casual nickname — often playful
  • 異名(いみょう): epithet — more formal, descriptive, often impressive
  • 通称(つうしょう): commonly known name — neutral, practical

Common collocations

Related Words

Synonym: あだ名(な) (nickname (casual))
Synonym: 通称(つうしょう) (commonly known name)
Compare: 別名(べつめい) (alias, another name)
general
Added 2026.2.26 18:49 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
13500/13591_imyou