Translation guide
A prodigy is a young person with exceptional talent or intelligence. In Japanese, the most common and natural way to express this is 天才 (tensai), which can be used for both children and adults. For a child specifically, 神童 (shindō) is a more literary term. Other expressions like 秀才 (shūsai) or 鬼才 (kisai) have different nuances and are less direct equivalents.
Describing a child or young person who shows remarkable ability, especially in intellectual or artistic fields.
The most common and versatile word for 'genius' or 'prodigy'. It can refer to both children and adults, but context usually makes it clear when a child is meant. It is widely used in everyday conversation and media.
Referring to someone with extraordinary natural ability, often in creative or intellectual fields, without emphasizing age.
天才 (tensai) is the general term for 'genius' and can be used for any age. 神童 (shindō) specifically means 'child prodigy' and is more literary. In everyday conversation, 天才 is perfectly fine for a child prodigy, and 神童 might sound a bit dramatic.
English 'prodigy' often implies a child, but Japanese 天才 does not inherently mean a child. If you need to emphasize youth, use 天才少年/少女 or 神童. Simply saying 天才 could refer to an adult genius.
He is a math prodigy.
あの子はピアノの天才だね。
That kid is a piano prodigy, isn't he?
Literally 'divine child', this specifically means a child prodigy. It has a more literary or dramatic feel and is often used in headlines or stories. Less common in casual speech.
彼は幼い頃から神童と呼ばれていた。
He was called a child prodigy from a young age.
Means 'genius boy' and is a common way to specify a young male prodigy. For a girl, use 天才少女 (てんさいしょうじょ).
その天才少年は10歳で大学に入学した。
The boy prodigy entered university at age 10.
Means 'genius girl' and is used for a young female prodigy.
彼女はチェスの天才少女として知られている。
She is known as a chess prodigy.
Again, 天才 is the go-to word. It covers both 'genius' and 'prodigy' depending on context. If age is not specified, it simply means a person of exceptional talent.
彼は真の天才だ。
He is a true prodigy.
Refers to a person of great academic ability or a brilliant student. It implies learned intelligence rather than innate genius, so it is not a direct match for 'prodigy' but can be used for academically gifted youth.
彼は学校一の秀才だ。
He is the top academic prodigy in the school.
Means 'demon talent' and refers to someone with extraordinary, almost frightening ability, often in arts or unconventional fields. It has a nuance of wild, untamed genius. Not specifically for children.
彼は映画界の鬼才と呼ばれている。
He is called a prodigy of the film world.