著しい in 30 Seconds
- 著しい (ichijirushii) is a formal Japanese i-adjective meaning 'remarkable' or 'striking,' used to describe significant and obvious changes or differences in professional contexts.
- It is commonly paired with nouns like 変化 (change), 向上 (improvement), and 減少 (decrease) to emphasize the large scale of the phenomenon being discussed.
- The word is objective and analytical, making it ideal for news, business reports, and academic writing, rather than casual daily conversation or subjective feelings.
- Its adverbial form is 著しく (ichijirushiku), which modifies verbs to indicate that an action or process is happening to a remarkable or conspicuous degree.
The word 著しい (いちじるしい, ichijirushii) is a powerful i-adjective in Japanese used to describe changes, differences, or states that are remarkably clear, striking, or conspicuous. When you use 著しい, you are not just saying something changed; you are emphasizing that the change is so large or obvious that it cannot be ignored. It carries a formal and objective nuance, making it a staple in news broadcasts, academic papers, and business reports. The root kanji 著 (cho/arawa-su) relates to writing or making something clear and visible, which perfectly aligns with its meaning of being 'conspicuous.' Unlike 'medatsu' (to stand out), which can be used for a person's bright clothes, 著しい is typically reserved for abstract concepts like economic growth, physical recovery, or technological progress.
- Visual Impact
- It describes a situation where the 'before' and 'after' are night and day.
- Degree of Change
- It implies a quantitative or qualitative leap that is statistically or visually significant.
- Formal Tone
- Commonly found in written Japanese (kago) rather than casual daily conversation.
近年、AI技術の進歩は著しいものがある。(In recent years, the progress of AI technology has been remarkable.)
両者の間には著しい差が認められる。(A striking difference is recognized between the two.)
景気の回復が著しい。(The economic recovery is remarkable.)
- Etymology
- Derived from 'ichijirushi,' where 'ichi' (one/clear) and 'shirushi' (mark) combine to mean a clear mark.
生活水準の向上が著しい。(The improvement in the standard of living is striking.)
その地域の発展は著しい。(The development of that region is remarkable.)
- Synonym Note
- Compare with 'kencho' (顕著), which is even more formal and often used for phenomena.
Using 著しい correctly requires understanding its grammatical placement and its collocative partners. As an i-adjective, it can directly modify nouns (著しい変化) or function as a predicate (変化が著しい). Because of its formal weight, it is rarely used to describe trivial matters. You wouldn't usually say your hair grew at an 'ichijirushii' rate unless you were a scientist measuring it. Instead, pair it with nouns like 向上 (improvement), 発展 (development), 減少 (decrease), or 差異 (difference). In sentence structures, it often appears as '...は著しい' or '著しい...が見られる'. When you want to emphasize the degree, you can add adverbs like '極めて' (extremely) or '非常に' (very), though the word itself already carries a strong sense of 'very.'
In professional writing, it is often used to summarize findings. For example, 'AグループとBグループの差は著しい' (The difference between Group A and Group B is striking). It is also used in the adverbial form '著しく' (ichijirushiku) to modify verbs. For instance, '著しく低下する' (to drop remarkably). This is common when discussing stock prices, health metrics, or performance levels. Remember that this word is 'objective.' It is based on observable facts rather than just a personal feeling of 'wow.' If you are writing a JLPT essay or a business report, this is a high-value word to demonstrate your proficiency.
You will most frequently encounter 著しい in formal media and professional environments. If you turn on NHK News, you might hear a reporter saying, '輸出の伸びが著しい' (The growth of exports is remarkable). In a corporate boardroom, a manager might present a slide showing that '生産性の向上が著しい' (The improvement in productivity is striking). It is also a favorite in academic journals. A researcher describing the results of a clinical trial would use 著しい to describe the '著しい効果' (remarkable effect) of a new medication. Because it is a B1-level word that transitions into higher academic Japanese, it appears frequently in JLPT N2 and N1 reading passages. You won't hear it much in anime unless a character is speaking formally, like a scientist, a military commander, or a refined villain discussing their plans for world domination. In literature, it is used to set a serious, descriptive tone for the setting or the changes in a character's status.
One of the most common mistakes learners make is using 著しい for subjective emotional states or small, everyday occurrences. For example, saying 'Today's lunch was ichijirushii delicious' is incorrect; you should use 'totemo' or 'sugoku.' Another mistake is confusing it with 'subarashii' (wonderful). While something that is 著しい might be wonderful, the word itself only means 'conspicuous' or 'remarkable' in scale, not necessarily 'good.' A '著しい悪化' (remarkable worsening) is a perfectly valid and common phrase. Therefore, don't assume it always has a positive connotation. Additionally, learners sometimes forget to use the 'ku' form when modifying verbs. You must say '著しく変わった' (changed remarkably), not '著しい変わった.' Finally, avoid using it in very casual settings with friends, as it can sound overly stiff and 'robotic' or 'bookish' if used while hanging out at a cafe.
Several words share the semantic space of 'remarkable' or 'conspicuous,' and choosing the right one is key to sounding natural. 顕著 (Kencho) is the closest synonym but is even more formal and often used for scientific or statistical phenomena. While 著しい can describe a person's growth, 顕著 is usually for 'trends' or 'symptoms.' 目覚ましい (Mezamashii) literally means 'so bright it wakes your eyes up.' It is used for brilliant achievements or rapid progress, usually with a positive and slightly more emotional nuance than the objective 著しい. 際立つ (Kiwadatsu) is a verb meaning 'to stand out' or 'to be prominent,' often used for qualities or features that are distinct from their surroundings. 目立つ (Medatsu) is the most common and casual version, used for anything that catches the eye, like a tall person in a crowd or a bright red car. Use 著しい when you want to emphasize the *magnitude* of a change or difference in a serious context.
How Formal Is It?
Difficulty Rating
Grammar to Know
Adjective-to-adverb conversion (~ku)
Relative clauses modifying nouns
Formal 'ni yori' for cause
Passive voice for objective observation
Nominalization with 'koto' and 'mono'
Examples by Level
この町は変化が著しい。
This town's change is remarkable.
Simple A wa B desu structure.
著しい差があります。
There is a striking difference.
Modifying a noun.
彼の成長は著しい。
His growth is remarkable.
Subject + wa + adjective.
技術の進歩は著しいです。
Technology's progress is remarkable.
Formal desu ending.
著しい効果が見られた。
A remarkable effect was seen.
Past tense verb with adjective.
温度の差が著しい。
The difference in temperature is striking.
Particle 'ga' used for the subject of the adjective.
著しい向上ですね。
It's a remarkable improvement, isn't it?
Sentence ending particle 'ne'.
人口の減少が著しい。
The decrease in population is remarkable.
Noun + no + Noun structure.
最近、成績の向上が著しいですね。
Recently, the improvement in your grades has been remarkable.
Adverb 'saikin' (recently) used.
日本のアニメの人気は著しい。
The popularity of Japanese anime is remarkable.
Topic marker 'wa'.
著しく高いビルが建った。
A remarkably tall building was built.
Adverbial form 'ichijirushiku'.
この薬は効果が著しいと言われている。
This medicine is said to have a remarkable effect.
Quotative 'to iwarete iru'.
二つの製品には著しい違いがある。
There is a striking difference between the two products.
Existence verb 'aru'.
経済の発展が著しい国です。
It is a country where economic development is remarkable.
Relative clause modifying 'kuni'.
彼の進歩は著しいものだ。
His progress is something remarkable.
Noun 'mono' used for emphasis.
著しい変化に驚きました。
I was surprised by the remarkable change.
Particle 'ni' indicating the cause of surprise.
IT業界の進展は著しく、毎日新しい技術が出る。
The progress in the IT industry is remarkable, and new tech comes out every day.
Te-form of adjective for connecting sentences.
この数年で、物価の上昇が著しい。
In the last few years, the rise in prices has been striking.
Time period 'kono suunen de'.
環境破壊が著しく進んでいる。
Environmental destruction is progressing remarkably.
Adverbial 'ichijirushiku' modifying 'susunde iru'.
著しい成果を上げたチームが表彰された。
The team that achieved remarkable results was honored.
Relative clause modifying 'chiimu'.
学力の低下が著しいことが問題になっている。
The remarkable decline in academic ability is becoming a problem.
Nominalizer 'koto'.
彼女のバイオリンの腕前は著しく向上した。
Her violin skills improved remarkably.
Adverbial modification of 'koujou shita'.
著しい不平等が社会の不安定を招く。
Striking inequality leads to social instability.
Transitive verb 'manaku'.
この地域は著しい過疎化に直面している。
This region is facing remarkable depopulation.
Compound noun 'kasoka' (depopulation).
新薬の投与により、症状に著しい改善が見られた。
With the administration of the new drug, a remarkable improvement in symptoms was observed.
Formal 'ni yori' (due to).
デジタル化の波は、社会構造を著しく変容させた。
The wave of digitalization has remarkably transformed the social structure.
Causative form 'henyou saseta'.
両者の主張には著しい相違点が存在する。
There are striking points of difference between the claims of both parties.
Formal 'sonzai suru' (to exist).
近年の温暖化の影響は、北極の氷の減少に著しく現れている。
The effects of global warming in recent years are remarkably apparent in the melting of Arctic ice.
Adverbial 'ichijirushiku' modifying 'arawarete iru'.
著しい不利益を被る可能性がある。
There is a possibility of suffering a remarkable disadvantage.
Formal verb 'koumuru' (to suffer/incur).
彼の作品には、著しい独創性が感じられる。
A striking originality can be felt in his works.
Passive potential 'kanjirareru'.
生産コストの削減が著しく、利益率が向上した。
The reduction in production costs was remarkable, and the profit margin improved.
Connecting clauses with 'ku' form.
著しい疲労のため、彼はその場に倒れ込んだ。
Due to remarkable fatigue, he collapsed on the spot.
Reason marker 'no tame'.
法改正によって、人権意識の向上が著しく促された。
The legal reform remarkably promoted the improvement of human rights awareness.
Passive voice 'unagasareta'.
その論文は、従来説との著しい乖離を指摘している。
The paper points out a striking divergence from conventional theories.
Formal noun 'kairi' (divergence).
都市部と農村部の格差が著しく拡大している。
The gap between urban and rural areas is expanding remarkably.
Continuous aspect 'kakudai shite iru'.
著しく客観性を欠く報道は、世論を誤導する恐れがある。
Reporting that remarkably lacks objectivity risks misleading public opinion.
Noun-modifying clause 'kyakkkansei o kaku'.
文化の多様性が著しく損なわれる事態を避けるべきだ。
We should avoid situations where cultural diversity is remarkably damaged.
Passive potential 'sokonawareru'.
彼の政治的手腕は、この危機において著しく発揮された。
His political skill was remarkably demonstrated in this crisis.
Passive voice 'hakkisareta'.
著しいインフレにより、通貨の価値が暴落した。
Due to remarkable inflation, the value of the currency plummeted.
Formal noun 'bouraku' (plummet).
その建築物は、周囲の景観と著しい対照をなしている。
The building stands in striking contrast to the surrounding landscape.
Idiomatic 'taishou o nasu'.
言論の自由が著しく制限される社会は、健全とは言い難い。
A society where freedom of speech is remarkably restricted can hardly be called healthy.
Grammar 'gataki' (difficult to).
著しい不条理に直面した際、人間の真価が問われる。
When faced with remarkable absurdity, a person's true worth is questioned.
Formal 'sai' (when).
宇宙の膨張速度が著しく加速していることが判明した。
It was revealed that the expansion speed of the universe is remarkably accelerating.
Formal 'hanmei shita' (revealed).
著しい変遷を遂げてきたこの地も、今は静まり返っている。
This place, which has undergone remarkable transitions, is now completely silent.
Verb 'togeru' (to achieve/undergo).
その政策は、国民の生活に著しい弊害をもたらした。
The policy brought about remarkable harmful effects on the lives of the citizens.
Noun 'heigai' (harmful effect).
著しく均衡を失した市場は、早晩崩壊する運命にある。
A market that has remarkably lost its balance is destined to collapse sooner or later.
Adverb 'souban' (sooner or later).
遺伝子操作がもたらす著しい変異については、慎重な議論が必要だ。
Careful discussion is necessary regarding the remarkable mutations brought about by genetic manipulation.
Noun 'hen-i' (mutation).
著しい不徳を積んだ結果、彼はすべてを失った。
As a result of accumulating remarkable immorality, he lost everything.
Formal phrase 'futoku o tsumu'.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
Often Confused With
Medatsu is casual and visual; Ichijirushii is formal and often abstract/quantitative.
Kencho is even more formal, often used for 'evidence' or 'phenomena' in science.
Mezamashii has a positive, 'brilliant' nuance; Ichijirushii is more neutral/objective.
Idioms & Expressions
Easily Confused
Sentence Patterns
How to Use It
Objective and formal.
High (Business/Academic).
Neutral (can be positive or negative depending on the noun).
Tips
Business Reports
Use '著しい' when presenting data that shows a clear trend. It makes your analysis sound more professional and objective.
Adverbial Form
Remember to change it to '著しく' when modifying a verb like '増える' (increase) or '減る' (decrease).
Pairing
Learn it as a set with '変化' (change) or '向上' (improvement). These are its most common partners.
Context Clues
If you see '著しい' in a sentence, look for a comparison. It usually highlights a big gap between two things.
Tone
When using this word, maintain a polite and serious tone to match the word's formal register.
JLPT Strategy
In the JLPT, '著しい' is often the correct answer when the context involves a 'clear and significant' difference.
News Keywords
This is a high-frequency keyword in economic news. Practice listening for it in reports about the yen or stock market.
Nuance
Understand that '著しい' is more about the 'fact' of the change rather than the 'emotion' behind it.
Kanji Connection
Associate the kanji 著 (to write/manifest) with making something 'clear' to the world.
Synonym Choice
Choose '著しい' over '顕著' if you want to sound slightly less clinical but still very professional.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Imagine a GIANT '1' (Ichi) written on a wall. It is a very 'clear mark' (shirushi). That is 'Ichijirushii'—remarkably clear!
Word Origin
Derived from the ancient Japanese word 'ichishirushi.'
Cultural Context
Extremely high frequency in NHK news scripts.
Essential for writing a thesis (ronbun) in Japanese.
Using this word correctly elevates the speaker's perceived education level.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Conversation Starters
"最近、この街の発展は著しいと思いませんか？ (Don't you think the development of this city has been remarkable lately?)"
"AI技術の進歩が著しいですが、将来はどうなるでしょうか？ (The progress of AI is striking; what do you think the future holds?)"
"彼の成績の向上が著しいのは、努力の成果ですね。 (His remarkable improvement in grades is the result of his effort, isn't it?)"
"この二つのプランには著しい差がありますね。 (There is a striking difference between these two plans, right?)"
"最近の物価の上昇は著しくて困りますね。 (The recent rise in prices is striking and problematic, isn't it?)"
Journal Prompts
自分の日本語の能力で、著しい変化を感じる部分はどこですか？ (In what part of your Japanese ability do you feel a remarkable change?)
最近、著しい進歩を遂げた技術について書いてください。 (Write about a technology that has made remarkable progress recently.)
子供の頃と比べて、自分の性格に著しい違いはありますか？ (Compared to when you were a child, is there a striking difference in your personality?)
あなたの国で著しい発展を遂げている都市はどこですか？ (Which city in your country is undergoing remarkable development?)
過去一年間で、あなたの生活に著しい変化はありましたか？ (In the past year, has there been a remarkable change in your life?)
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes, but usually for their growth, progress, or recovery in a formal way. You wouldn't use it to say someone is 'remarkably beautiful' in a casual chat.
No. You can have '著しい悪化' (remarkable worsening) or '著しい低下' (remarkable decline). It just means the change is big and obvious.
'すごく' is a casual adverb for 'very.' '著しい' is a formal adjective for 'remarkable/conspicuous.' They belong to different levels of speech.
It is written as 著しい. The kanji 著 is also used in '著者' (author).
Yes, the adverbial form is very common in news and business to describe how something changed.
Absolutely. It is a key word for N2 and N1 levels, appearing often in reading and listening sections.
No, that's '著名' (chomei), which uses the same kanji but is a different word.
Only in formal contexts like speeches, news, or business meetings. It's rare in casual talk.
'目立つ' is a good simpler synonym, though it's less formal.
Usually, it describes a 'quality' or 'change' of an object, like '著しい劣化' (remarkable deterioration of a building).
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Summary
著しい is your go-to word for describing 'big, obvious changes' in a professional or formal way. It moves beyond the simple 'sugoi' and provides an objective, striking emphasis on the magnitude of a difference or development.
- 著しい (ichijirushii) is a formal Japanese i-adjective meaning 'remarkable' or 'striking,' used to describe significant and obvious changes or differences in professional contexts.
- It is commonly paired with nouns like 変化 (change), 向上 (improvement), and 減少 (decrease) to emphasize the large scale of the phenomenon being discussed.
- The word is objective and analytical, making it ideal for news, business reports, and academic writing, rather than casual daily conversation or subjective feelings.
- Its adverbial form is 著しく (ichijirushiku), which modifies verbs to indicate that an action or process is happening to a remarkable or conspicuous degree.
Business Reports
Use '著しい' when presenting data that shows a clear trend. It makes your analysis sound more professional and objective.
Adverbial Form
Remember to change it to '著しく' when modifying a verb like '増える' (increase) or '減る' (decrease).
Pairing
Learn it as a set with '変化' (change) or '向上' (improvement). These are its most common partners.
Context Clues
If you see '著しい' in a sentence, look for a comparison. It usually highlights a big gap between two things.
Example
科学技術は近年、著しい発展を遂げました。
Related Content
More academic words
絶対的
B2Absolute; not qualified or diminished in any way; total.
絶対的に
B1In a complete, unconditional, or conclusive manner; absolutely.
抽象的だ
B1Abstract; existing in thought or as an idea but not having a physical or concrete existence.
抽象
B2Existing in thought or as an idea but not having a physical or concrete existence. It refers to generalizing or extracting the essence of something away from specific details.
抽象的に
B1In an abstract or theoretical manner.
学術的な
B1Academic, scholarly; relating to education and scholarship.
学術的だ
B1Academic; relating to education and scholarship.
学術的
B2Academic; relating to education and scholarship.
学術
B1Academia; scholarship; relating to scholarly pursuits.
学力
B1Academic ability; a person's level of knowledge and skill in academic subjects.
