1.
matchless; peerless; having no equal
A literary, bookish word meaning "nothing else compares." Almost always appears attached to another noun as a compound modifier, often in set phrases praising quality, strength, or beauty. Sounds elevated or old-fashioned; common in advertising copy, reviews, and written descriptions of masterworks.
痛快無比の物語だ。
It's an unrivaled, thrilling story.
この選手の走力は無比と言われている。
This athlete's running ability is said to be unrivaled.
正確無比な計算で知られるこの数学者は、世界的に評価されている。
This mathematician, known for his matchlessly precise calculations, is highly regarded worldwide.
Made of 無 (nothing, absent) and 比 (comparison), literally "without comparison." The word almost never stands alone as a predicate in modern Japanese; it attaches to another noun or kanji compound to form fixed phrases, most commonly with a na-adjective style modifier slot. Register is noticeably literary — use it in writing, formal speech, or stylized advertising, not everyday conversation.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 正確無比: unrivaled accuracy
- 痛快無比: incomparably thrilling
- 勇猛無比: unmatched in bravery
- 強力無比: matchlessly powerful
- 無比の強さ: peerless strength
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 比類ない: matchless, beyond comparison — a near-synonym that works more naturally as a standalone predicate
- 類まれ: exceptional, extraordinary — emphasizes rarity rather than being simply "the best"
- 絶世: unparalleled (in the world) — used almost exclusively for beauty, as in 絶世の美女
- 独特: unique, distinctive — about being one-of-a-kind, not about being superior