優秀
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Base na-adjective form. Describes someone or something of high quality or superior ability. Requires 『な』 (na) when modifying a noun, e.g., 『優秀な学生』 (yūshū na gakusei, 'excellent student').
Theme

At a company meeting, User and their colleague, Yamada, talk about candidates for a promotion based on their performance.

優秀

ゆうしゅう

superiority / excellence

People & IdentityEmotions & Personality

Memory Hook

Think of an 'excellent' student who always gets top grades. You say, 'You're so smart!' — it sounds like 『優秀』 (yūshū, 'excellence'). 'You're so' → 優秀 (yūshū, 'excellence').

Cultural Note

In Japanese schools and workplaces, 『優秀』 (yūshū, 'excellence') is often used to praise high achievers, such as in awards like 『優秀賞』 (yūshū shō, 'excellence prize'). It reflects a cultural emphasis on diligence and merit.

Forms

Base: 優秀Base na-adjective form. Describes someone or something of high quality or superior ability. Requires 『な』 (na) when modifying a noun, e.g., 『優秀な学生』 (yūshū na gakusei, 'excellent student').
Negative: 優秀ではないAdd 『ではない』 (de wa nai, 'is not') after the base form → 『優秀ではない』 (yūshū de wa nai).
Past: 優秀だったAdd 『だった』 (datta, past) after the base form → 『優秀だった』 (yūshū datta).
Adverbial: 優秀にAdd 『に』 (ni, adverbial) after the base form → 『優秀に』 (yūshū ni).
Comparative: より優秀Comparative formed with modifier 『より』 (yori, 'more than') + base adjective.
Superlative: 一番優秀Superlative formed with 『一番』 (ichiban, 'number one / Most') + base adjective.