剣客
kenkaku[kẽ̞ŋka̠kɯ̟]
The Japanese word for swordsman is 剣客 (kenkaku).
剣客 refers to a person who is highly skilled at using swords. It carries a connotation of being a master or someone of great ability in the art of the blade.
Meaning: a person skilled at using swords (noun)
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
剣客 has a literary or historical feel, often used in the context of samurai or historical fiction.
How do you pronounce it?
kenkaku
Did you know?
- The suffix 客 (kaku) in 剣客 literally means 'guest' or 'visitor', but in this context, it functions as a suffix for a person who has mastered a specific craft or art.
- The concept of a wandering swordsman is captured by the word 浪人 (ronin), which literally means 'wave person'. It describes a masterless warrior drifting like a wave through society.
- In Japanese culture, the soul of the 剣客 was believed to reside within the blade itself. This led to the practice of treating a sword not as a tool but as a living entity with its own spirit.
Examples in context
- 彼は素晴らしい剣士です。He is an excellent swordsman.
- 彼はすごい剣豪だよ。He is an amazing swordsman.
- 彼は京都で有名な剣客です。He is a famous swordsman in Kyoto.
- 彼は伝説の剣客だ。Kare wa densetsu no kenkaku da.He is a legendary swordsman.
- その剣客は非常に強い。Sono kenkaku wa hijō ni tsuyoi.That swordsman is very strong.
- 物語には多くの剣客が登場する。Monogatari ni wa ōku no kenkaku ga tōjō suru.Many swordsmen appear in the story.
Example conversation
Ren and Himari are talking about a historical movie.
- 蓮 Renこの映画の主人公は剣客だよ。Kono eiga no shujinkou wa kenkaku dayo.The protagonist of this movie is a swordsman.
- 陽葵 Himariかっこいい剣客なの？Kakkoii kenkaku nano?Is he a cool swordsman?
- 蓮 Renああ、とても強い剣客だ。Aa, totemo tsuyoi kenkaku da.Yes, he is a very strong swordsman.
- 陽葵 Himari私も見てみたいわ。Watashi mo mite mitai wa.I want to see it too.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “swordsman” translations and entries 剣客, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
