Translation guide
Describes someone with exceptional natural ability, talent, or intelligence. Japanese expressions vary by context: innate talent, prodigy, genius, or high intellectual ability.
Someone with natural, often extraordinary, ability in a specific area or in general.
Most common word for 'genius' or 'prodigy'. Can be used for both intellectual and artistic giftedness.
彼は数学の天才だ。
He is a math genius.
あの子はピアノの天才だ。
That child is a piano prodigy.
Refers to a person of outstanding academic ability or intellectual brilliance, often through effort as well as talent.
彼は子供の頃から秀才だった。
He was a gifted student from childhood.
A person with extraordinary, almost supernatural talent, often in arts or creative fields. More dramatic than 天才.
彼は映画界の鬼才と呼ばれている。
He is called a genius in the film world.
A young person with exceptional abilities, especially in academics or arts.
Specifically a child prodigy, often used for very young children with remarkable talents.
彼は神童と呼ばれていた。
He was called a child prodigy.
Literally 'genius child', used for gifted children, often in educational contexts.
A person identified as having high intellectual potential, often in academic or psychological assessment.
Loanword from English, used in educational and psychological contexts to refer to gifted individuals, especially children.
ギフテッド教育に関心があります。
I'm interested in gifted education.
Refers to exceptional talent or a person with such talent, often used in phrases like 英才教育 (education for the gifted).
Someone who has a unique, often divinely inspired, talent or ability.
A person endowed with innate talent; somewhat literary but natural.
彼女は天賦の才を持つ人だ。
She is a person with a natural gift.
Unusual or extraordinary talent; a person with such talent. Often implies uniqueness.
彼は異才を放つ芸術家だ。
He is an artist of extraordinary talent.
天才 emphasizes innate, almost magical talent, while 秀才 implies high ability often combined with hard work, especially in academics. 天才 is more common in everyday speech.
彼は天才タイプで、努力しなくてもできる。
He's the genius type; he can do it without effort.
彼女は秀才タイプで、コツコツ勉強する。
She's the gifted student type; she studies diligently.
The phrase 'gifted person' is often translated as ギフテッド in educational contexts, but in casual conversation, 天才 or 秀才 are more natural. Using 才能がある人 is also possible but less idiomatic for 'gifted person' as a noun.
その学校は天才児のための特別プログラムがある。
That school has a special program for gifted children.
彼は英才教育を受けた。
He received a gifted education.