エスプリ

エ

ス

プ

リ

Common wordFreq.FrequencyTop 50,000

Meanings

1

noun

spirit; essence

Refers to the fundamental spirit, character, or essence of a person, group, era, or work. Often used in intellectual or cultural contexts.

from French esprit

彼かれの作品さくひんにはじゅには18世紀うはっせいきのエスプリが

感かん

じ

られる

。

You can feel the spirit of the 18th century in his works.

2

noun

esprit; wit

Specifically denotes lively, clever wit or a sharp, playful intelligence, close to the French esprit. Often used for conversational or literary brilliance.

彼かの女じょの会かい話わにはエスプリが効きいている。
Her conversation is full of wit.

Usage patterns

〈物もの〉にエスプリが利きいているsomething is imbued with wit or clever style
彼かれのジョークにはエスプリが利きいている。
His jokes are full of clever wit.
〈事こと〉のエスプリを感かんじるto sense the essential spirit or character of something
この作さく品ひんにはフランス文ぶん化かのエスプリを感かんじる。
You can feel the essential spirit of French culture in this work.
エスプリに富とむto be full of wit or refined spirit
彼かの女じょはエスプリに富とんだ会かい話わで人ひとを魅み了りょうする。
She charms people with her witty, spirited conversation.

Related words

スピリット sense 1
スピリット is a broad loanword for 'spirit' (enthusiasm, soul, alcohol), while エスプリ specifically refers to a French-inspired intellectual or cultural spirit and wit.
機き知ち sense 2
機知 is a native Japanese word for quick-witted cleverness, whereas エスプリ carries a more sophisticated, French-inspired nuance of wit.
精せい神しんN3sense 1
精神 is the plain, everyday Japanese word for the essential spirit or mindset of something, while エスプリ adds a stylish, French-derived intellectual flavor.
ウィット sense 2
ウィット is the direct English loanword for 'wit', while エスプリ borrows the same idea from French with a more literary or cultured connotation.
才さい気き sense 2
才気 emphasizes sharp natural talent or quick intelligence, while エスプリ focuses more on playful, conversational cleverness.

Word family

エスプリヌーボー
esprit nouveau; new spirit

Etymology

Borrowed from French esprit, meaning 'spirit' or 'wit'.