How to Say "Talent" in Japanese

才能

sainō[sa̠ino̞ː]

The English word talent is translated into Japanese as 才能 (sainō). Wiktionary also lists 天賦 (tenpu).

Meaning: marked ability or skill (noun)

Ways to say it

“talent” in Japanese
Japanese	Romanization (Wiktionary)	IPA
才能	sainō	[sa̠ino̞ː] (narrow)
天賦	tenpu	[tẽ̞mpɯ̟] (narrow)

The term refers to a marked ability or skill.

While 才能 is the general term used for talent, 天賦 (tenpu) specifically refers to talent that is innate or 'heaven-sent'.

sainō

In Japanese media, the word タレント (tarento), a loanword from English, does not mean a gifted person, but specifically refers to a television personality or celebrity.
The character 能 (nō) in 才能 is also the name of a traditional Japanese musical drama. This form of theater is one of the oldest surviving theater arts in the world.
Japanese speakers often use the phrase 才能がある (sainō ga aru) to mean 'to have talent', but it is socially common to humbly deny this ability even when it is obvious to others.

彼の才能は素晴らしい。
I admire his talent.
This sentence is useful for expressing admiration for someone's 才能.
Tatoeba #2208044 by bunbuku, translation #398525 by CK
彼女には文学の才能がある。
She has some literary talent.
This sentence is useful for stating that someone possesses a specific type of 才能, such as literary talent.
Tatoeba #94901 by bunbuku, translation #308806 by CN
彼は才能を十分に発揮した。
He did justice to his talent.
This sentence is useful for describing someone who has fully utilized their 才能.
Tatoeba #106870 by KK_kaku_, translation #296816 by shekitten
才能を発揮することは、素晴らしいことです。
Displaying talent is a wonderful thing.
あの子、ピアノがめっちゃ上手なんだよ。
That kid is super talented at the piano.
14 more sentences on Tatoeba

Two friends are talking about a classmate's skill.

美咲 Misaki

健太君、彼は本当に才能があるね。
Kenta-kun, kare wa hontou ni sainou ga aru ne.
Kenta, he really has talent, doesn't he?
健太 Kenta

うん、ピアノのセンスがすごいよ。
Un, piano no sensu ga sugoi yo.
Yeah, his sense for the piano is amazing.
美咲 Misaki

将来が楽しみだね。
Shourai ga tanoshimi da ne.
I'm looking forward to his future.
健太 Kenta

美咲さんの言う通りだね。
Misaki-san no iu toori da ne.
It's just as you say, Misaki.

Sources

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