要 人(ようじん)

ようじん

noun

VIP; important person; dignitary

1. VIP; important person; dignitary

A person in an important position, such as a head of state, minister or senior official, especially one who needs protection. A formal word common in news reports.

要人(ようじん)を警護(けいご)する。

To guard a dignitary.

各国(かっこく)の要人(ようじん)が会議(かいぎ)に集(あつ)まった。

Dignitaries from many countries gathered for the conference.

要人(ようじん)が来日(らいにち)するため、空港(くうこう)の周辺(しゅうへん)は警備(けいび)が厳重(げんじゅう)になっている。

Because a dignitary is visiting Japan, security around the airport has been tightened.

要(よう) (important) + 人(じん) (person). Used mostly of political and government figures, in contexts of security and diplomacy.

Common collocations

要人(ようじん)警護(けいご): protection of dignitaries
政府(せいふ)要人(ようじん): senior government figures
要人(ようじん)の暗殺(あんさつ): assassination of a public figure

Similar words

VIP: the loanword, used for celebrities and special guests as well; 要人(ようじん) is narrower and more official
大物(おおもの): a big name, a heavyweight (informal)

Watch out

Same reading as 用心(ようじん) (caution).

general

Added 2026.10.8 22:57 · Revised 2026.10.8 22:58

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