評伝(ひょうでん)

ひょうでん
noun
critical biography; biographical essay with commentary
art
1. critical biography; biographical essay with commentary
A biography that includes the author's evaluation and criticism of the subject's life and work, rather than simply narrating facts.
夏目漱石(なつめそうせき)の評伝(ひょうでん)を読(よ)んだ。
I read a critical biography of Natsume Soseki.
この評伝(ひょうでん)は画家(がか)の人生(じんせい)と作品(さくひん)を丁寧(ていねい)に描(えが)いている。
This critical biography carefully depicts the painter's life and works.
著者(ちょしゃ)は長年(ながねん)の研究(けんきゅう)をもとに、従来(じゅうらい)の評価(ひょうか)を覆(くつがえ)す新(あたら)しい評伝(ひょうでん)を書(か)き上(あ)げた。
Based on years of research, the author produced a new critical biography that overturns previous assessments.

A compound of 評(ひょう) (critique, evaluation) and 伝(でん) (biography, account). Unlike a straightforward biography (伝記(でんき)), a 評伝(ひょうでん) includes the author's critical analysis and assessment of the subject. It is a literary genre particularly common in Japanese publishing.

Often used for biographies of writers, artists, politicians, and other notable figures where the author's interpretive perspective adds depth.

Common collocations

  • 評伝(ひょうでん)を書(か)く: to write a critical biography
  • 評伝(ひょうでん)を読(よ)む: to read a critical biography
  • ～の評伝(ひょうでん): a critical biography of ~

Similar words

  • 伝記(でんき): biography — a factual account of someone's life without critical commentary
  • 自伝(じでん): autobiography — written by the subject themselves
  • 列伝(れつでん): biographical sketches of multiple people — a collection of short biographies

Related Words

Compare: 伝記(でんき) (biography)
Compare: 自伝(じでん) (autobiography)
general
Added 2026.4.26 21:40 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
25500/25611_hyouden