1.
prodigy; gifted person; talented individual
A person with exceptional intellectual ability or talent, especially in academics. Carries a positive connotation of natural brilliance.
あの子は秀才だ。
That child is a prodigy.
彼は学校でも有名な秀才だった。
He was a well-known prodigy even at school.
努力だけでなく、生まれつきの秀才だからこそ成し遂げられた成果だ。
It was an achievement only possible because he is a born genius, not just hardworking.
USAGE:
Primarily refers to academic or intellectual brilliance rather than artistic or athletic talent. Often used to describe students who excel in school.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 秀才タイプ (the prodigy type)
- 秀才肌 (of a scholarly disposition)
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 天才: genius — implies even higher, almost superhuman ability
- 凡人: ordinary person — the opposite of 秀才
- 英才: gifted person — more formal, often used in compounds like 英才教育