Meaning and Usage
The word "人物" (じんぶつ) primarily refers to a person or character, often highlighting their role or significance. It can mean a fictional character in literature or media, a historical or famous person, or someone important in a certain context.
Common Contexts
- In literature and media, "人物" refers to characters in stories, such as protagonists or supporting roles.
- In history or social contexts, it denotes notable or influential people.
- In everyday conversation, it can describe someone's personality or importance.
Collocations and Patterns
- 人物像 (じんぶつぞう): character image or portrayal
- 重要な人物 (じゅうようなじんぶつ): important person
- 歴史上の人物 (れきしじょうのじんぶつ): historical figure
- 有名な人物 (ゆうめいなじんぶつ): famous person
Nuances and Tips
When using "人物," the focus is often on the person's role, character, or significance rather than just any person. It is more formal than simply saying "人" (person). Be careful not to confuse it with "人間" which emphasizes human nature or humanity. "人物" is common in written and spoken Japanese when discussing characters or notable people.
Common Mistake
Learners sometimes use "人物" to refer to any person casually, but it usually implies some importance or distinctiveness. For casual references, "人" is more natural.