When using 有名 (yūmei), remember it's a な-adjective. This means that when it directly modifies a noun, you need to add な between the adjective and the noun. For example, you would say 有名な場所 (yūmei na basho) for "a famous place."
If you want to say something like "This place is famous," you would say この場所は有名です (kono basho wa yūmei desu). When making it negative, it becomes 有名ではありません (yūmei de wa arimasen), or more casually, 有名じゃない (yūmei janai).
§ Don't confuse it with 'popular'
Many learners new to Japanese might think that ゆうめい (yuumei) means 'popular'. While famous things can often be popular, the words are not interchangeable. ゆうめい specifically means 'famous' or 'well-known'. If you want to say something is popular, a better word to use would be にんき (ninki).
- DEFINITION
- Popular.
このレストランはとても人気がありますね。
Hint: This restaurant is very popular, isn't it?
§ Using ゆうめい correctly with です/でした
ゆうめい is a な-adjective. This means when you use it to describe a noun, you need to add な before the noun. When used at the end of a sentence, it follows the pattern for な-adjectives.
- EXAMPLE (PRESENT)
- That mountain is famous.
あの山は有名です。
- EXAMPLE (PAST)
- That mountain was famous.
あの山は有名でした。
§ Describing a noun with ゆうめい
When ゆうめい modifies a noun directly, it needs な before the noun. This is a common point of confusion for beginners who might forget the な.
- INCORRECT EXAMPLE
- ゆうめいレストラン (yuumei resutoran)
- CORRECT EXAMPLE
- ゆうめいなレストラン (yuumeina resutoran)
東京には有名なレストランがたくさんあります。
Hint: There are many famous restaurants in Tokyo.
- Always use な after ゆうめい when it comes directly before a noun.
- It's a common mistake to drop the な, but it's essential for correct grammar.
§ Not always positive
While 'famous' often has a positive connotation in English, ゆうめい can be neutral or even slightly negative in Japanese, depending on the context. You can be famous for good things or bad things. For example, a criminal can be ゆうめい.
彼は有名な悪党です。
Hint: He is a famous villain (bad guy).
§ What "ゆうめい" Means
ゆうめい (yūmei) is a common adjective in Japanese. It means "famous." You'll hear and see this word a lot, so it's good to get comfortable with it.
- Japanese Word
- ゆうめい (yūmei)
- Meaning
- Famous
- Grammar Note
- It's a な-adjective (also called a nominal adjective or keiyō-dōshi). This means it takes な when directly modifying a noun (e.g., ゆうめいな場所 - yūmei na basho - a famous place).
§ Basic Examples of "ゆうめい"
彼はゆうめいな歌手です。
Kare wa yūmei na kashu desu.
He is a famous singer.
この場所は食べ物でゆうめいです。
Kono basho wa tabemono de yūmei desu.
This place is famous for its food.
§ Similar Words and When to Use Them
While ゆうめい (yūmei) is your go-to for "famous," there are other words you might encounter. Understanding the nuances will help you sound more natural.
- 名高い (na takai)
- Literally "name is high." This also means famous, but it carries a slightly more formal or venerable tone than ゆうめい. It often implies a long-standing reputation or historical significance.
あのお寺は名高い歴史を持っています。
Ano o-tera wa na takai rekishi o motte imasu.
That temple has a distinguished/famous history.
- 名前が通っている (namae ga tōttae iru)
- This phrase means "to be well-known" or "to have one's name widely recognized." It's a bit more descriptive than just "famous" and emphasizes the widespread recognition.
彼の作品は世界中で名前が通っています。
Kare no sakuhin wa sekaijū de namae ga tōttae imasu.
His works are well-known throughout the world.
- 話題 (wadai)
- This noun means "topic of conversation" or "buzz." Something 話題になる (wadai ni naru - to become a topic of conversation) implies it's very popular or getting a lot of attention, which is a form of being famous or well-known, especially currently.
あの映画は今、とても話題になっています。
Ano eiga wa ima, totemo wadai ni natte imasu.
That movie is a big topic of conversation / very popular right now.
§ When to use "ゆうめい"
ゆうめい is the most versatile and generally safest choice for "famous" in most everyday situations. Use it when:
- You're talking about general fame, without specific connotations of age or reverence.
- The person, place, or thing is widely known to a general audience.
- You're having a casual conversation.
Think of ゆうめい as your default "famous." The other terms add layers of meaning that might not always be necessary.
Difficulty Rating
Two common kanji, easily recognizable.
Kanji strokes are straightforward.
Pronunciation is simple and follows basic Japanese phonetics.
Clear and distinct pronunciation.
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
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Test Yourself 18 questions
富士山はとても＿＿＿です。
Fujisan wa totemo yūmei desu. (Mount Fuji is very famous.) The context requires an adjective describing the mountain's renown.
このレストランは＿＿＿ですか？
Kono resutoran wa yūmei desu ka? (Is this restaurant famous?) This asks about the restaurant's fame.
東京は＿＿＿なまちです。
Tōkyō wa yūmei na machi desu. (Tokyo is a famous city.) 'Yūmei na' is the correct form for 'famous' before a noun.
あの歌手はとても＿＿＿です。
Ano kashu wa totemo yūmei desu. (That singer is very famous.) 'Yūmei' is used to describe a well-known person.
このお寺はとても＿＿＿です。
Kono o-tera wa totemo yūmei desu. (This temple is very famous.) The sentence indicates the temple's reputation.
日本には＿＿＿なお祭りが多いです。
Nihon ni wa yūmei na omatsuri ga ōi desu. (There are many famous festivals in Japan.) 'Yūmei na' modifies 'omatsuri' (festival).
その俳優は最近、慈善活動への貢献で___な存在となりました。
文脈から、俳優が慈善活動で注目されていることから、「有名な」が適切です。
彼の革新的な研究は、科学界で___な評価を得ています。
「革新的な研究」が「科学界で評価を得ている」とあるので、「有名な」が自然です。
この地域は、美しい景色と___な歴史的建造物で知られています。
「美しい景色」と並んで「歴史的建造物で知られている」ことから、「有名な」が適しています。
その画家は生前はあまり___ではありませんでしたが、死後にその作品が再評価されました。
「生前はあまり〜ではなかったが、死後に再評価された」という対比から、「有名」が適切です。
彼女は___な国際会議で基調講演を務め、多くの聴衆を魅了しました。
「国際会議で基調講演を務める」ことから、その会議が「有名な」ものであることが自然です。
このレストランは、地元の新鮮な食材を使った料理で___です。
「地元の新鮮な食材を使った料理で知られている」という文脈なので、「有名」が最も適切です。
Choose the most appropriate word to complete the sentence: 「その作家は_____小説をたくさん書いている。」 (That author writes many _____ novels.)
The sentence implies that the author's novels are well-known, so 'famous' is the best fit.
Which of the following phrases best describes someone who is a household name in their field? 「彼女は音楽界で_____です。」 (She is _____ in the music world.)
To be a household name implies being 'very famous'.
Select the sentence where '有名' is used correctly to describe a popular tourist spot. 「このお寺は_____観光地です。」 (This temple is a _____ tourist spot.)
A popular tourist spot is by definition 'famous'.
The sentence 「あのレストランは料理がまずいのに有名だ。」 (That restaurant is famous even though its food is bad.) is grammatically correct and makes sense in Japanese.
It is grammatically correct and expresses a common sentiment where something might be famous for negative reasons.
If a person is described as 「あまり有名ではない」 (not very famous), it means they are completely unknown.
「あまり有名ではない」 implies they have some recognition, but not widespread fame. 'Completely unknown' would be 「全然有名ではない」.
The phrase 「世界的に有名」 (sekai-teki ni yūmei) means 'famous throughout the world'.
「世界的に」 means 'globally' or 'worldwide', so combined with 「有名」 it means 'famous worldwide'.
/ 18 correct
Perfect score!
Example
富士山はとても有名です。
Related Content
More general words
いくつか
B1An unspecified small number of things; some, a few.
ちょっと
A2A little; a moment; a bit. Small amount or short time.
すこし
A2A little; a few.
さっき
A2A little while ago; a short time past.
能力
A1Nouryoku refers to the mental or physical power, skill, or capacity required to perform a specific task or function. It can describe both innate talent and skills acquired through learning and practice.
異常
A1A word used to describe something that deviates from the normal state, standard, or expected pattern. It often implies a problem, malfunction, or an extraordinary occurrence that requires attention or investigation.
～について
A2About, concerning; indicates topic.
〜について
B1About, concerning; on the subject of.
～ぐらい
A2about, approximately
ぐらい
A2About; approximately; to the extent of.
