桁外(けたはず)れ

けたはずれ
na-adjective, noun
extraordinary; off the charts; outrageous
size
1. extraordinary; off the charts; far beyond normal; outrageous
Describes something so extreme that it goes beyond the normal scale or range. Can be used for both positive qualities (extraordinary talent) and negative ones (outrageously expensive).
桁外(けたはず)れの才能(さいのう)だ。
It's extraordinary talent.
あの選手(せんしゅ)は桁外(けたはず)れに速(はや)い。
That athlete is extraordinarily fast.
このレストランは桁外(けたはず)れに高(たか)いが、味(あじ)は最高(さいこう)だ。
This restaurant is outrageously expensive, but the food is superb.

桁外(けたはず)れ describes something so extreme that it falls completely outside the normal range or scale.

Usage

  • Functions as a な-adjective and as a noun. The literal meaning, 'off the digit column,' comes from the abacus: a number so large that the columns can no longer represent it.
  • Can be positive (extraordinarily talented) or negative (outrageously bad), depending on context.
  • The な form modifies a noun directly; the に form is used adverbially.
  • Modifier: 桁外(けたはず)れな才能(さいのう) (extraordinary talent), 桁外(けたはず)れの金額(きんがく) (an outrageous sum)
  • Adverbial: 桁外(けたはず)れに大(おお)きい (extraordinarily large), 桁外(けたはず)れに速(はや)い (off-the-charts fast)
  • Predicate: その選手(せんしゅ)のスピードは桁外(けたはず)れだ (that athlete's speed is in another league)

Similar words

  • 規格外(きかくがい): out of specification, off-standard (often used for unusual size or quality).
  • 破格(はかく): exceptional, unprecedented (often used for prices or treatment).
  • 並外(なみはず)れ: out of the ordinary (closest synonym; slightly less extreme in feel).

Related Words

Compare: 破格(はかく) (exceptional, unprecedented (often used…)
Compare: 並外(なみはず)れる (to be exceptional)
general
Added 2026.3.22 13:43 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
18500/18533_ketahazure