also: きにん · あてびと · うまひと
noun
aristocrat; noble; dignitary; person of high rank
Refers to a person of noble birth or high social standing. Can be used in historical contexts or formal descriptions.
その貴人は多くの領地を持っていた。
That nobleman owned many territories.
彼はまるで貴人のような振る舞いをする。
He behaves as if he were an aristocrat.
Obsolete kana usage. Historical reading for 貴人, not used in modern Japanese.
Obsolete kana usage. Historical reading for 貴人, not used in modern Japanese.
貴族 refers to the nobility as a class or a member of the nobility, while 貴人 emphasizes individual high rank or dignity, often with a more personal or honorific nuance.
高貴 is a na-adjective meaning 'noble' or 'high-born', describing a quality, whereas 貴人 is a noun referring to a person of such status.
Compound of 貴 (ki, 'noble') + 人 (jin/hito, 'person'). The reading きじん is the standard on'yomi combination. The alternate reading きにん uses the go-on for 人, while あてびと and うまひと are native Japanese readings (kun'yomi) that have become obsolete.