JLPT N1・N5 Vocabulary – Difference between “有名” and “著名”

Table of Contents

1. Difference between “有名ゆうめい” and “著名ちょめい“
2. 有名ゆうめい
3. 著名ちょめい
4. Let’s Compare
5. Summary
6. Quiz
7. Similar Articles
8. Comment

Q: What is the difference between “有名ゆうめい” and “著名ちょめい “?

A: Both of these words mean “widely known,” but they are used in different contexts depending on the scope and field.

有名ゆうめい (JLPT N5)

Generally, this word means that many people know something, and its scope can be either global or local.
It expresses both positive and negative connotations.
Additionally, it can refer to various things, not just people, but also places, works, brands, and more.

[Examples]
電車でんしゃで有名ゆうめいな俳優はいゆうを見みかけました。
I saw a famous actor on the train.

このブランドは世界せかい的てきにとても有名ゆうめいです。
This brand is very famous worldwide.

近所きんじょのたろうくんは頭あたまがよくてかっこ良よくて有名ゆうめいです。
Taro from the neighborhood is famous for being smart and good-looking.

あそこのレストラン、料理りょうりを作つくるのも遅おそいしおいしくないって有名ゆうめいですよ。
That restaurant is famous for being slow at making food and not tasting good.

著名ちょめい (JLPT N1)

This term refers to being recognized and known for achievements within a specific field or domain, often indicating a high level of expertise or status.
It is commonly used in a positive sense, conveying respect.
The terms it is used with are usually fixed to some extent, such as “scholar” or “author,” representing professions within a field.

[Commonly used terms]
医師いし／医者いしゃ(Doctor/Physician)・弁護べんご士し(Lawyer)・芸術げいじゅつ家か(Artist)・建築けんちく家か(Architect)・音楽おんがく家か(Musician)・政治せいじ家か(Politician)・ジャーナリスト(Journalist)

[Examples]
今日きょうは著名ちょめいな作家さっかのサイン会かいがあります。
There is a book signing by a renowned author today.

ある著名ちょめいな医者いしゃが本ほんを出版しゅっぱんしました。
A renowned doctor has published a book.

彼女かのじょは著名ちょめいな詩人しじんです。　　
She is a renowned poet.

著名ちょめいなジャーナリストが発表はっぴょうした記事きじは世界せかいに大おおきな影響えいきょうを与あたえました。
The article published by the renowned journalist had a significant impact on the world.

比くらべてみよう

“有名ゆうめい” refers to being widely known in general and can be used for both positive and negative contexts. On the other hand, “著名ちょめい” refers to being highly regarded in a specific field and is used in a positive context.

[Cases where substitution is possible]

[Example]
◯ 彼かれは世界せかい中じゅうで有名ゆうめいな音楽おんがく家かです。
He is a famous musician worldwide.

◯ 彼かれは世界せかい中じゅうで著名ちょめいな音楽おんがく家かです。
He is a renowned musician worldwide.
⇒ In this example sentence, substitution is possible because both words indicate that the person is widely known.

[Cases where substitution is not possible]

[Example]
◯ この俳優はいゆうはスキャンダルで有名ゆうめいです。
This actor is famous for scandals.
× あの俳優はいゆうはスキャンダルで著名ちょめいです。
⇒ “著名ちょめい” cannot be used in a negative context like scandals because it includes connotations of respect and high regard.

Summary

[有名ゆうめい]

• It generally refers to a person, place, brand, or various other things widely known by many people, regardless of the scope.
• It can be used for both positive and negative contexts.

[著名ちょめい]

• It expresses the recognition of the evaluation and high status in a certain field or domain.
• It is used with terms representing professions.

Quiz

Read the following sentence and choose the expression that fits the context from the options provided in the parentheses.

Click on the question to check the answer.

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