1.
philosopher; a scholar of philosophy
A person who studies or writes philosophy. Used for both academic researchers of philosophy and historical thinkers such as Socrates or Kant. Can also be used loosely, and sometimes playfully, to describe someone who reflects deeply on life.
Compound of 哲学 (philosophy) and the suffix 〜者 (person, practitioner). The word is most often used for professional or historical philosophers, but it can also be applied half-jokingly to a friend who likes to ponder big questions, in which case it softens to "deep thinker." Register is neutral, common in both writing and speech.
Common collocations
- 有名な哲学者: famous philosopher
- 古代ギリシャの哲学者: an ancient Greek philosopher
- 哲学者の言葉: words of a philosopher
- 哲学者肌: a philosopher's disposition, thoughtful by nature
- 哲学者のように考える: to think like a philosopher
Related words
- 哲学: philosophy — the discipline itself
- 思想家: thinker — somewhat broader, including political and social theorists
- 賢者: sage, wise person — evokes wisdom and moral depth rather than academic philosophy
- 学者: scholar — generic term for an academic
Cultural note
Classical Chinese and European philosophers are both regularly called 哲学者. Thinkers in the East Asian Confucian tradition are often instead called 思想家 or given more specific labels.