博士 (はかせ, hakase) Japanese meaning: expert

博士 (はかせ, hakase) Japanese meaning: expert | Kotomora

Kanji

博Dr., command, esteem
士gentleman, scholar, samurai

Related words

専せん門もん家かN2sense 1
専門家 is a neutral, everyday word for 'specialist', while 博士 (はかせ) implies deep, almost scholarly mastery and can be used affectionately or jokingly.
学がく者しゃN3sense 1
学者 refers specifically to an academic researcher or scholar, whereas 博士 (はかせ) can describe anyone with impressive knowledge in any field, formal or not.
物もの知しりN1sense 1
物知り is a casual way to call someone a 'know-it-all' about many topics, while 博士 (はかせ) suggests deep expertise in a specific subject.

Opposites

素人しろうとN2sense 1
素人 means an amateur or layperson with little knowledge, the opposite of a 博士 (はかせ) who is deeply knowledgeable or skilled.

Politeness

博はく士しpolite 丁寧語N1sense 2
博士 (はくし) is the formal, official reading used for actual doctoral titles and academic documents, while 博士 (はかせ) is the everyday, colloquial reading used in speech.

Don't confuse with

学がく士しN1sense 2
学士 (がくし) is a bachelor's degree holder, a much lower academic rank than 博士 (はかせ/はくし), which denotes a doctorate.
ドクターN1
博士 refers to an academic doctorate (Ph.D.) holder, while ドクター in its main sense means a medical doctor, though it can also mean 博士 in academic contexts.

Counted with

人にん
The everyday counter for people: 一人 (ひとり), 二人 (ふたり), 三人 (さんにん).
名めいN2
More formal than 人 — used for headcounts in reservations, staff lists, and announcements (5名様).

Word family· 9

大だい博士はかせ
distinguished scholar; holder of a higher doctorate
節ふし博士はかせ
musical intonation marks
音おん博士はかせ
professor of kanji readings in Confucian classics
医い学がく博士はかせ
Doctor of Medicine; MD

Written forms

博士はかせUsage98%
Standard kanji spelling for all senses. The reading はかせ is the most common for the 'expert' and colloquial 'doctor' senses.
ハカセUsage1%
はかせUsage1%

Etymology

Originally a term for a learned scholar or instructor in ancient Japan. The reading はかせ is the older form; はくし is a later Sino-Japanese reading used specifically for the academic degree.

博士はかせ

Meanings

Usage patterns