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Japanese Versatility List

Types of people

Core words, Stage 2chunk 31 of 80People

Lets you call someone good-looking, gifted, rich or a beginner.

Mix-ups bijin is for women, ikemen for men.

bijin

beautiful woman

Used for women; for men say ikemen.

bijinsan is a softer, friendly form.

casual

ano hito, sugoi bijin da ne.

She's gorgeous.

あの人、すごい美人だね。

polite

ano hito wa totemo bijin desu ne.

She's very beautiful.

あの人はとても美人ですね。

Written 美人 · びじんRank #1808 in 3,030 TV dramas

ikemen

good-looking guy; handsome

Casual; also works like an adjective: ikemen da ne.

For women, say bijin or kawaii.

casual

kare, kekkou ikemen ja nai?

Isn't he pretty good-looking?

彼、結構イケメンじゃない？

polite

kare wa kekkou ikemen desu ne.

He's quite good-looking.

彼は結構イケメンですね。

Written イケメンRank #1928 in 3,030 TV dramas

tensai

genius

Used loosely as praise, even for small things.

Mix-up: tensai also means natural disaster (天災).

casual

e, mou dekita no? tensai ja nai?

Wait, done already? You're a genius!

え、もうできたの？天才じゃない？

polite

mou dekita n desu ka? tensai desu ne.

Done already? You're a genius.

もうできたんですか？天才ですね。

Written 天才 · てんさいRank #2133 in 3,030 TV dramas

shirouto

amateur; non-expert

Someone who isn't a professional or doesn't know the field.

Opposite: puro (pro).

casual

shirouto da kara, yoku wakannai yo.

I'm no expert, so I don't really get it.

素人だから、よくわかんないよ。

polite

shirouto na node, yoku wakarimasen.

I'm not an expert, so I don't really understand.

素人なので、よくわかりません。

Written 素人 · しろうとRank #2461 in 3,030 TV dramas

okanemochi

rich person; rich

Also works like an adjective: okanemochi da ne (you're rich).

casual

kare no ie, sugoi okanemochi rashii yo.

Apparently his family's super rich.

彼の家、すごいお金持ちらしいよ。

polite

kare no ie wa totemo okanemochi da sou desu.

I hear his family is very rich.

彼の家はとてもお金持ちだそうです。

Written お金持ち · おかねもちRank #4264 in 3,030 TV dramas