有名

ゆうめい

famous

JLPT N5

Character Breakdown

Meaning and Usage

"有名" (ゆうめい) means "famous" or "well-known." It is a na-adjective used to describe people, places, things, or events that are widely recognized or popular.

Common Contexts

You often see "有名" used to talk about celebrities, landmarks, restaurants, or brands. It implies positive recognition or popularity.

Collocations and Patterns

  • 有名な人 (ゆうめいなひと): a famous person
  • 有名な場所 (ゆうめいなばしょ): a famous place
  • 有名になる (ゆうめいになる): to become famous
  • 有名だから (ゆうめいだから): because it is famous (used to explain a reason)

Register and Politeness

"有名" is neutral and can be used in both casual and formal contexts. It is common in everyday conversation, news, and writing.

Common Mistakes

Learners sometimes confuse "有名" with "有料" (ゆうりょう, paid/fee-required). Pay attention to the difference in meaning and pronunciation to avoid misunderstandings.

Example Sentences

かれはゆうめいなかしゅです。

He is a famous singer.

このレストランはゆうめいだから、いつもこんでいます。

This restaurant is famous, so it is always crowded.

ゆうめいなばしょをかんこうしたいです。

I want to visit famous places.