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

Table of Contents

1. The 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. Comments

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

A: Both words mean “widely known,” but they differ in what they are used to describe and why the person or thing is known.

“有名ゆうめい” is a general word used to describe people, things, places, and other subjects that are known by many people.

In contrast, “著名ちょめい” is a slightly more formal expression used mainly for people who are widely known because their achievements or activities in a particular field have received social recognition.

有名ゆうめい (JLPT N5)

“有名ゆうめい” describes a person or thing whose name or existence is known by many people.

It can be used not only for people or things that are known around the world, but also for those that are known within a limited area, such as a school, company, or local community.

It can also describe a wide variety of subjects, including people, places, shops, works of art, products, and brands.

The reason someone or something is known may be either positive or negative.

[Common Patterns]
• 有名ゆうめいな人ひと — a famous person
• 有名ゆうめいな店みせ — a famous shop
• 有名ゆうめいな作品さくひん — a famous work
• 有名ゆうめいな観光かんこう地ち — a famous tourist destination
• 〇〇で有名ゆうめいだ — to be famous for 〇〇
• 〇〇として有名ゆうめいだ — to be famous as 〇〇

[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まとに有名ゆうめいです。

This brand is famous worldwide.

近所きんじょの太郎たろうくんは、頭あたまがよくて、かっこいいことで有名ゆうめいです。

Taro from the neighborhood is known for being smart and good-looking.

あのレストランは、料理りょうりが出でてくるのが遅おそいことで有名ゆうめいです。

That restaurant is known for its slow service.

この町まちは桜さくらで有名ゆうめいです。

This town is famous for its cherry blossoms.

著名ちょめい (JLPT N1)

“著名ちょめい” describes someone whose name is widely known in society.

It is used particularly for people who have outstanding achievements or accomplishments in a certain field and whose work has received public recognition.

It is more formal than “有名ゆうめい” and is often used in news reports, newspapers, profiles, introductions, and formal announcements.

It is generally used to describe people and is not commonly used for shops, food, tourist destinations, or similar things.

[Words Commonly Used with “著名ちょめい”]
• 著名ちょめいな学者がくしゃ — a renowned scholar
• 著名ちょめいな作家さっか — a renowned author
• 著名ちょめいな医師いし — a renowned doctor
• 著名ちょめいな弁護べんご士し — a renowned lawyer
• 著名ちょめいな芸術げいじゅつ家か — a renowned artist
• 著名ちょめいな建築けんちく家か — a renowned architect
• 著名ちょめいな音楽おんがく家か — a renowned musician
• 著名ちょめいな政治せいじ家か — a prominent politician

[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師いしが、健康けんこうについての本ほんを出版しゅっぱんしました。

A renowned doctor has published a book about health.

彼女かのじょは、近代きんだい文学ぶんがくの研究けんきゅうで知しられる著名ちょめいな学者がくしゃです。

She is a distinguished scholar known for her research on modern literature.

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、社会しゃ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 society.

この建物たてものは、世界せかい的てきに著名ちょめいな建築けんちく家かによって設計せっけいされました。

This building was designed by a world-renowned architect.

比くらべてみよう

“有名ゆうめい” is a general word used to describe someone or something that is widely known.
In contrast, “著名ちょめい” is used for people who are known for their achievements or social recognition in a particular field.

[When They Are Interchangeable]

[Examples]
◯ 彼かれは有名ゆうめいな音楽おんがく家かです。
He is a famous musician.

◯ 彼かれは著名ちょめいな音楽おんがく家かです。
He is a renowned musician.

Both sentences are natural, but they emphasize slightly different things.
“有名ゆうめいな音楽おんがく家か” focuses on the fact that the musician is known by many people.
“著名ちょめいな音楽おんがく家か” suggests that the musician has earned recognition and a strong reputation in the field of music.

[When They Are Not Interchangeable]

[Examples]
◯ 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.
× こ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” is normally used for people who are known for their achievements or socially recognized work in a professional field.
Therefore, it sounds unnatural when someone is known for a negative reason, such as scandals or a bad reputation.

[Examples]
〇 京都きょうとは寺てらや神社じんじゃで有名ゆうめいです。

Kyoto is famous for its temples and shrines.
× 京都きょうとは寺てらや神社じんじゃで著名ちょめいです。

“著名ちょめい” is generally used to describe people, so “有名ゆうめい” is used when talking about places.

[Examples]
〇 あの店みせはラーメンで有名ゆうめいです。

That restaurant is famous for its ramen.
× あの店みせはラーメンで著名ちょめいです。

“有名ゆうめい” is also the natural choice when describing shops, products, food, or other things that are widely known.

Summary

[有名ゆうめい]

• Describes someone or something that is known by many people.
• Can be used for a wide range of subjects, including people, places, shops, products, and works.
• Can describe something known worldwide or within a smaller community, such as a school or local area.
• Can be used when someone or something is known for either a positive or negative reason.
• Commonly used in everyday conversation.

[著名ちょめい]

• Describes someone who is widely known for their achievements or reputation in a particular field.
• Mainly used for people such as scholars, authors, doctors, and artists.
• More formal than “有名ゆうめい.”
• Commonly used in news reports, newspapers, profiles, and introductory texts.
• Sounds unnatural when someone is known for a negative reason, such as a bad reputation or scandal.

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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