1.
master; expert; virtuoso
A person who has reached an exceptionally high level of skill or mastery in a particular field or art. Implies years of dedicated practice and deep expertise.
彼は料理の達人だ。
He is a master of cooking.
節約の達人として本を出した。
She published a book as a savings expert.
長年の修行を経て、剣の達人と呼ばれるようになった。
After years of training, he came to be called a master swordsman.
USAGE NOTES:
達人 implies a level of mastery beyond ordinary expertise. It can be used seriously (martial arts, traditional crafts) or more casually (cooking, saving money) in modern Japanese.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 達人の技 (a master's technique)
- 達人に学ぶ (to learn from a master)
- 〜の達人 (a master of...)
The word appears in popular culture through the rhythm game 太鼓の達人 (Taiko no Tatsujin, "Taiko Master").
SIMILAR WORDS:
名人 (master, champion) is similar but is also used as a formal title, especially in traditional games like shogi and go. 達人 emphasizes the person's skill level rather than a title.