Meaning and Usage
"評判" (ひょうばん) refers to the reputation or public opinion about a person, place, product, or service. It often implies how well-known and well-regarded something is among people.
Common Contexts
You will frequently see "評判" used when talking about restaurants, movies, companies, or individuals, especially regarding their quality or trustworthiness.
Collocations and Patterns
- 評判がいい: to have a good reputation
- 評判が悪い: to have a bad reputation
- 評判を聞く: to hear about the reputation
- 評判になる: to become well-known or talked about
Register and Nuance
"評判" is neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. It is often used in spoken and written Japanese when discussing opinions or reviews.
Common Learner Mistake
Learners sometimes confuse "評判" with "有名" (ゆうめい), which means "famous." While "有名" focuses on being well-known, "評判" emphasizes the quality or opinion behind that fame. For example, something can be famous but have a bad reputation.