名著(めいちょ)

めいちょ
noun
masterpiece (book); classic work; famous book
1. masterpiece (book); classic work; famous book
A book or written work widely recognized as excellent or important. Refers specifically to written works, not art or music.
これは経済学(けいざいがく)の名著(めいちょ)だ。
This is a classic work of economics.
I'm planning to read some classic books over summer vacation.
時代(じだい)を超(こ)えて読(よ)み継(つ)がれている名著(めいちょ)を集(あつ)めたブックリストを作(つく)った。
I made a book list of masterpieces that have been read across generations.

Forms

名(めい) (famous, excellent) + 著(ちょ) (book, written work). Part of the 名(めい)~ prefix family that denotes excellence.

Related words

Usage

名著(めいちょ) is specifically for books and written works, while 名作(めいさく) can refer to any creative work.