genius; prodigy; person of great talent
Refers to a person with extraordinary, often unconventional, talent or brilliance. Can be used for both innate genius and remarkable achievement.
He is known as a mathematical genius.
That young pianist is a true prodigy.
Standard kanji spelling; 異 suggests 'different, extraordinary' and 才 'talent'.
Alternate spelling using 偉 'great, admirable'; less common but still used.
Compound of 異 (i, 'different, extraordinary') and 才 (sai, 'talent, ability'). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the spelling is conventionally associated with the meaning of exceptional talent.