Translation guide
The English word "famous" can be expressed in Japanese through several adjectives and phrases, each with different nuances, formality, and typical contexts. The most common and versatile word is 有名 (ゆうめい), but other options like 名高い (なだかい) or 著名 (ちょめい) are used in specific situations.
To say that someone or something is well-known by many people, without strong emotional or formal connotations.
The most common and versatile word for 'famous'. It can be used for people, places, things, and events in both casual and formal contexts.
彼は有名な歌手です。
He is a famous singer.
このレストランはとても有名です。
This restaurant is very famous.
A slightly more literary and elegant word for 'famous', often used for historical figures, places, or things with a long-standing reputation.
ここは名高い観光地です。
This is a famous tourist spot.
Formal and often used in written language or news to describe people or works that are well-known in a specific field.
著名な作家が講演を行った。
A famous author gave a lecture.
To emphasize that someone or something is famous because of a particular skill, characteristic, or accomplishment.
Attach a noun or noun phrase to indicate what the subject is famous for. Very common and natural.
この町は温泉で有名です。
This town is famous for its hot springs.
彼女はその役で有名になった。
She became famous for that role.
Formal and somewhat old-fashioned, used to describe someone highly esteemed, often in academic or artistic circles.
To express that someone or something is famous for a bad reason.
Literally 'bad-name high', meaning notorious or infamous. Used for people, places, or events with a negative reputation.
彼は悪名高い犯罪者だ。
He is a notorious criminal.
Pattern to specify what the subject is notorious for.
その地域は治安の悪さで悪名高い。
That area is notorious for its poor public safety.
To refer to a person who is widely recognized, especially in entertainment or media.
The standard word for a famous person or celebrity. Neutral and widely used.
彼はテレビでよく見る有名人だ。
He is a celebrity often seen on TV.
From 'celebrity', often implies a glamorous or wealthy famous person. Casual and slightly trendy.
A formal term for a well-known person, often used in news or official contexts.
有名 is the most common and can be used in almost any situation. 著名 is more formal and often used in writing or news to describe people with established reputations in specific fields. 名高い is literary and carries a sense of historical or traditional fame.
While ～で有名 is correct, directly translating 'famous for' as ～のために有名 is unnatural. Use the particle で to indicate the reason or characteristic.
高名な学者を招いて講演会を開いた。
We invited a famous scholar and held a lecture.
She is a popular celebrity on Instagram.
多くの著名人が式典に出席した。
Many famous people attended the ceremony.