エリート
erīto[e̞ɾʲiːto̞]
The English phrase "elite" can be translated into Japanese as エリート (erīto). If unsure, use エリート. Wiktionary also lists 選り抜き (erinuki).
Meaning: group with higher status (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| エリート | erīto | [e̞ɾʲiːto̞] (narrow) |
| 選り抜き | erinuki | [e̞ɾʲinɯ̟kʲi] (narrow) [jo̞ɾʲinɯ̟kʲi] (narrow) |
In Japanese, the term for a group with higher status can be expressed in several ways depending on whether you are referring to social status, a hand-picked selection or a leadership group.
Which one should you use?
While エリート is a loanword often used to denote social or political status, the native Japanese term 選り抜き is used to describe the select or the chosen ones, such as a hand-picked group of people or things.
How does it change in a sentence?
To pluralize the noun エリート when referring to a group of elite people, you can add the suffix 達 to form エリート達.
How do you pronounce it?
erīto
Did you know?
- While エリート is used in Japanese, it often carries a slightly cynical or mocking nuance, implying someone is a 'privileged' person who is out of touch with reality.
- In a professional context, the word エリート is often used to describe the specific track of graduates from top universities who enter certain large corporations or government ministries.
- The term 選り抜き (erinuki) is frequently used for food products, such as 'select' fruits or 'premium' cuts of meat, rather than just people.
Examples in context
- 概してエリート達は批判に対して鈍感である。On the whole, the elite are not sensitive to criticism.This sentence is useful for seeing how to pluralize the noun with エリート達.Tatoeba #184681 by KK_kaku_, translation #21809 by User105223
- 概して、このエリート組には男性が３、４人だけ含まれていた。In general, this elite group included only three to four men at a time.This sentence shows the use of エリート to describe an elite group.Tatoeba #11124329 by KF, translation #11118212 by CM
- 彼はもう大統領ではないものの、政界エリートの中でいまだに相当な影響力を保持している。Though he is no longer president, he still holds considerable sway among the political elite.This sentence demonstrates how to use エリート when discussing the political elite.Tatoeba #994164 by mookeee, translation #587885 by darinmex
- 彼はエリートとして有名です。He is famous as an elite.
- 有力者の意見に耳を傾けるべきです。We should listen to the opinions of the elite.
- 今日の野球試合で彼はトップクラスのパフォーマンスを披露しました。He showcased a top-class performance in today's baseball game.
- 営業部は選り抜きのメンバーで満たされています。The sales department is filled with elite members.
- この特殊部隊は精鋭揃いです。This special forces unit is comprised of elite members.
Example conversation
Two students are talking about a prestigious university.
- 陽葵 Himariあそこはエリートが集まる大学だよね。Asoko wa erīto ga atsumaru daigaku da yo ne.That's a university where the elite gather, isn't it?
- 大翔 Hirotoそうだね。入学するのはすごく難しいらしいよ。Sō da ne. Nyūgaku suru no wa sugoku muzukashii rashii yo.Yeah. I heard it's very difficult to get in.
- 陽葵 Himari大翔なら、エリートになれると思うよ。Hiroto nara, erīto ni nareru to omou yo.I think you could become an elite, Hiroto.
- 大翔 Hirotoありがとう。でも、ハードルが高すぎるよ。Arigatō. Demo, hādoru ga takasugiru yo.Thanks. But the bar is set too high.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “elite” translations and entries エリート, 選り抜き, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
