Translation guide
The state of being known or recognized by many people. Japanese expresses this through nouns, adjectives, and set phrases, with nuances of honor, popularity, and notoriety.
To say someone or something is famous or widely known.
The most common and neutral word for 'famous'. Used as a noun or na-adjective.
彼は有名な歌手です。
He is a famous singer.
このレストランはとても有名だ。
This restaurant is very famous.
Refers to the degree of recognition or name recognition. Often used in business or media contexts.
その会社は知名度が高い。
That company has high name recognition.
A more literary term meaning 'renowned' or 'famous'.
名高い作家の新作が発表された。
A new work by a renowned author was announced.
To express fame in the sense of honor, glory, or high reputation.
Fame with a positive connotation of honor and high reputation. Often used for achievements.
彼はオリンピックで金メダルを取って名声を得た。
He gained fame by winning a gold medal at the Olympics.
Glory, honor. Often used in contexts of great achievement or historical fame.
Honor, prestige, glory. A more formal or literary term.
To describe someone who is currently popular or the center of attention, often temporarily.
Popularity. While not exactly 'fame', it overlaps when someone is widely liked and talked about.
彼女は若者の間で人気がある。
She is popular among young people.
To become the talk of the town, to be a hot topic. Implies current fame or notoriety.
その映画は世界中で話題になった。
That movie became the talk of the world.
To express fame in a negative sense, being known for something bad.
Bad reputation, infamy. Specifically negative fame.
彼は悪名高い犯罪者だ。
He is a notorious criminal.
Stigma, disgrace, bad name. Often used in phrases like 'clear one's name'.
To talk about leaving a name in history or being remembered.
To leave one's name (in history), to achieve lasting fame.
彼は歴史に名を残した。
He left his name in history.
To leave one's name to posterity.
彼の業績は後世に名を残すだろう。
His achievements will leave a name for posterity.
有名 (ゆうめい) is an adjective meaning 'famous' and is the most common way to describe someone or something well-known. 名声 (めいせい) is a noun meaning 'fame' in the sense of honor and high reputation, often earned through achievement. Use 有名 for general fame, 名声 for prestigious fame.
English 'fame' can often be expressed more naturally with 有名 (famous) or 人気 (popular) in Japanese. Saying 名声を得た (gained fame) is correct but can sound stiff in casual conversation. Consider whether 'became famous' or 'became popular' fits better.
彼女は作家として名声を得た。
She achieved fame as a writer.
彼の名声は世界中に広まった。
His fame spread throughout the world.
栄光を手にするために努力した。
He strived to achieve glory.
That is the honor of the family.
A famous person, celebrity. The noun form for a person who has fame.
彼はテレビでよく見る有名人だ。
He is a celebrity often seen on TV.
He fought to clear his name.