Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 専門家 | senmonka | [sẽ̞mːõ̞ŋka̠] (narrow) |
| 熟練者 | jukurensha | [d͡ʑɨkɯ̟ɾẽ̞ɰ̃ɕa̠] (narrow) |
| 名人 | meijin | [me̞ːʑĩɴ] (narrow) |
The term 専門家 is used to describe someone who is an expert in a specific field. The related adjective 専門的 can be used to describe something as being characteristic of an expert or being extraordinarily capable or knowledgeable.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 専門家 (senmonka) is composed of 専門, meaning specialty and 家, meaning person or specialist.
Which one should you use?
While 専門家 is used for professional or academic experts, 熟練者 emphasizes someone with high technical skill or proficiency gained through long practice. 名人 is used for experts in traditional arts, games or specific crafts, often implying a level of mastery that is legendary or highly respected.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When specifying a field of expertise, place the particle の between the field and the noun, such as in the phrase 経済の専門家 (an economics expert).
How do you pronounce it?
senmonka
Did you know?
- In Japanese, the word for 'specialist' or 'expert', 専門 (senmon), is composed of characters that literally translate to 'exclusive' and 'gate', suggesting a person who focuses on a single entry point of knowledge.
- The term 熟練者 (jukurensha) uses the character 熟, which also means 'ripe' or 'cooked', implying that expertise is something that must 'mature' over time like fruit.
- Calling someone an expert by using the word プロ (puro) is common in casual speech, but it carries a nuance of 'being paid to do it' rather than just possessing high skill.
Examples in context
- 専門家に聞いて。Ask an expert.This sentence shows how to use the noun 専門家 in a command.Tatoeba #13190475 by small_snow, translation #2244986 by CK
- 彼は経済の専門家だ。He is an expert in economics.This sentence demonstrates how to specify a field of expertise using 専門家.Tatoeba #107977 by bunbuku, translation #295708 by CC
- 彼はつりの専門家だ。He is an expert at fishing.This sentence shows how to use 専門家 to describe expertise in a hobby or activity.Tatoeba #111875 by bunbuku, translation #291803 by CK
- 彼女は書道の達人ですShe is an expert calligrapher.
- 彼はITのエキスパートですHe is an IT expert.
- 彼は料理が達者ですHe is an expert in cooking.
- 彼女はメイクのプロですShe is a makeup expert.
- 彼女は言語学の専門家です。She is an expert in linguistics.
- 彼は音楽の名人です。He is a music master.
- 22 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Himarì and Youta are talking about a broken computer.
- 陽葵 Himariパソコンが壊れたみたい。どうしよう？Pasokon ga kowareta mitai. Dou shiyou?It looks like the computer is broken. What should I do?
- 陽太 Yota専門家に相談したほうがいいよ。Senmonka ni soudan shita hou ga ii yo.You should consult an expert.
- 陽葵 Himariどこに専門家がいるかな？Doko ni senmonka ga iru kana?I wonder where I can find an expert.
- 陽太 Yota近くに修理のお店があるよ。Chikaku ni shuuri no omise ga aru yo.There is a repair shop nearby.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “expert” translations and entries 専門家, 熟練者, 名人, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 専門家, 熟練者, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
