1.
unprecedented; extraordinary; remarkably rare
Describes something or someone so exceptional that it occurs only rarely across generations. Used as a modifier before nouns to express that something is the most remarkable of its kind.
希代の天才と呼ばれた。
He was called a once-in-a-generation genius.
彼女は希代の悪女として歴史に名を残した。
She went down in history as an extraordinary villainess.
希代の名作と言われるこの小説は、百年経った今でも読み継がれている。
This novel, said to be an extraordinary masterpiece, is still read even a hundred years later.
Composed of 希 (rare, uncommon) + 代 (generation, era). Literally means 'rare across generations,' implying something so exceptional it appears only once in many lifetimes. Also written as 稀代 (with a different kanji for 'rare'). Used almost exclusively as a prenominal modifier (希代の + noun).
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 希代の天才: once-in-a-generation genius
- 希代の名作: extraordinary masterpiece
- 希代の悪党: unprecedented villain
- 希代の英雄: extraordinary hero
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 稀有: extremely rare — emphasizes rarity; often used for unusual situations
- 空前: unprecedented — literally 'never before seen'
- 不世出: appearing once in a generation — similar in meaning; more literary