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.
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
Related Words
Compare:
比類ない (matchless, beyond comparison)
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絶世 (unparalleled)
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独特 (unique, distinctive)
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無類 (peerless)
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無二 (unique)