1.
debut work; maiden work; first work
An artist's or author's first published or released work. Used for novels, films, music albums, and other creative works.
これが彼の処女作だ。
This is his debut work.
処女作がいきなりベストセラーになった。
Her debut work immediately became a bestseller.
この映画監督の処女作は低予算ながらも高い評価を受けた。
This film director's debut work received high praise despite its low budget.
Literally "maiden work," from 処女 (maiden, virgin) and 作 (work, production). Despite the literal meaning, the word is used regardless of the creator's gender.
In modern usage, some people prefer the gender-neutral alternative デビュー作, but 処女作 remains widely used in formal and literary contexts.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 処女作を発表する (to release one's debut work)
- 処女作を書く (to write one's first work)
- 処女作が話題になる (one's debut work becomes a talking point)
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 処女作: first creative work (formal, literary)
- デビュー作: debut work (gender-neutral, casual)
- 第一作: first work (neutral, sequential numbering)