beautiful woman; pretty girl
Kansai dialect word for a beautiful woman or pretty girl; often used with a touch of warmth or familiarity. Usually written in kana.
あの店の看板娘はべっぴんさんやで。
The poster girl at that shop is a real beauty, you know.
べっぴんに育って、親も鼻が高いやろうな。
She grew up to be such a pretty girl; her parents must be proud.
high-quality goods; special article
Only when written 別品
Rare, kanji-specific sense meaning a superior or special product. Not used in everyday conversation; the kanji 別品 directly suggests 'special item'.
この茶碗は別品として扱われている。
This tea bowl is treated as a special article.
Common word for high-quality goods; 別品 is a rare, kanji-based synonym.
Kana spelling is standard for the 'beautiful woman' sense; usually written in kana.
Ateji kanji spelling for the 'beautiful woman' sense; rarely used in modern writing.
Kanji spelling for the 'high-quality goods' sense; Restricted this form to that meaning.
Originally 別品, “an exceptional or superior article,” from 別 “special” and 品 “article; quality.” The sense “beautiful woman” developed from this praise, and 別嬪 arose as a spelling tailored to that sense.