Translation guide
The English word "extraordinary" describes something remarkable, unusual, or beyond the ordinary. In Japanese, there is no single perfect equivalent; the best choice depends on whether you mean exceptionally good, strange, or simply out of the ordinary.
To describe someone or something as outstanding, amazing, or remarkably excellent.
The most common and versatile word for 'wonderful' or 'splendid'. It conveys strong admiration and is suitable for most situations.
She has extraordinary talent.
Means 'astonishing' or 'miraculous'. Often used for achievements or abilities that are hard to believe.
His memory is extraordinary.
Literally 'out of the ordinary'. Emphasizes that something exceeds normal standards, often used for talent, effort, or courage.
He succeeded through extraordinary effort.
Means 'off the scale' or 'in a different league'. Used for something exceptionally large or extreme, often in scale or quantity.
The project required an extraordinary budget.
To describe something that is out of the ordinary, peculiar, or strikingly different.
Means 'abnormal' or 'unusual'. Often used for situations, behavior, or phenomena that deviate from the norm. Can carry a negative nuance.
It's extraordinarily hot today.
Means 'uncommon' or 'exceptional'. Often used for people with remarkable qualities, but can also describe things that are not ordinary.
He has extraordinary ideas.
An emphatic, colloquial expression meaning 'outrageous', 'absurd', or 'extraordinary' in a surprising or unbelievable sense. Can be positive or negative depending on context.
Means 'eccentric' or 'novel'. Used for ideas, fashion, or designs that are strikingly unconventional.
To emphasize that something is extreme, immense, or far beyond what is usual.
A formal pattern meaning 'extraordinary' or 'uncommon', often used with words like 努力 (effort), 才能 (talent), or 決意 (determination).
He took on the challenge with extraordinary determination.
Means 'enormous', 'absurd', or 'extraordinary' in scale. Often used for amounts, distances, or ideas that are hard to grasp.
Similar to 途方もない, meaning 'immense' or 'extraordinary'. Very colloquial and emphatic.
素晴らしい is the safest and most common choice for 'extraordinary' in a positive sense. 並外れた emphasizes that something exceeds the norm, often used with effort or ability. 驚異的 is stronger, implying something almost miraculous or astonishing, and is more formal/written.
There is no single Japanese word that covers all uses of 'extraordinary'. Using 異常な for a positive achievement would sound negative (abnormal). Always consider the nuance you want to convey.
She made an extraordinary recovery.
It was an extraordinary experience.
An extraordinary incident occurred.
Her extraordinary fashion attracted attention.
An extraordinary amount of money changed hands.
He is a person of extraordinary talent.