佳作(かさく)

かさく
noun
honorable mention; fine work
formalart
1. honorable mention; runner-up prize
An award given in competitions and contests to works that are commendable but did not win the top prizes.
佳作(かさく)に選(えら)ばれた。
It was selected for honorable mention.
応募(おうぼ)作品(さくひん)の中(なか)から佳作(かさく)五(いつ)つが発表(はっぴょう)された。
Five honorable mentions were announced from among the submitted works.
今回(こんかい)は大賞(たいしょう)は逃(のが)したが、佳作(かさく)に入(はい)れただけでも嬉(うれ)しい。
I missed the grand prize this time, but I'm happy just to have received an honorable mention.
2. fine work; good piece
A work of art, literature, or other creative endeavor that is well-crafted and praiseworthy.
この映画(えいが)は佳作(かさく)だ。
This film is a fine piece of work.
地味(じみ)だが佳作(かさく)と呼(よ)べる小説(しょうせつ)が多(おお)い。
There are many novels that are unassuming but can be called fine works.
彼(かれ)の初期(しょき)の作品(さくひん)にはいくつかの佳作(かさく)がある。
Among his early works, there are several fine pieces.

A compound of 佳(か) (good/beautiful) and 作(さく) (work/creation). Has two distinct uses: as a competition award rank (below grand prize and runner-up) and as a general compliment for well-made creative works.

Common collocations

Usage

In competitions, the typical award hierarchy is 大賞(たいしょう) (grand prize) → 優秀賞(ゆうしゅうしょう) (excellence award) → 佳作(かさく) (honorable mention). When used to describe a work outside of competitions, 佳作(かさく) implies solid quality without being a masterpiece.

Related Words

Compare: 駄作(ださく) (poor work)
Related: 優秀作(ゆうしゅうさく) (excellent work)
general
Added 2026.4.7 6:26 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
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