斬新
ざんしん·zanshin
Meaning
novel; innovative; original; fresh; unprecedented; bold
Nuance & Usage
斬新 describes something that is strikingly original, cutting-edge, and unlike anything seen before — a bold departure from convention. 斬新なアイデア (innovative idea), 斬新なデザイン (novel design), 斬新なアプローチ (fresh approach) are typical uses. The kanji 斬 (to cut/slash) and 新 (new) together convey the idea of sharply, decisively breaking with what came before. It's a complimentary term in creative and professional contexts. 斬新すぎる (too avant-garde) can imply something so novel it's hard to accept.
Common Mistakes
Learners confuse 斬新 with 新しい (atarashii — new, general), 革新的 (kakushinteki — revolutionary/innovative, more systematic), and 独創的 (dokusouteki — original/creative, from within oneself). 斬新 specifically emphasizes the shock of novelty — something that breaks convention dramatically. 斬新に見える (to look innovative) and 斬新さが際立つ (innovation stands out) are useful phrases. 斬新 is a na-adjective: 斬新な + noun, 斬新だ.
Example Sentences (3)
彼のでざいんは斬新で、業界に新鮮な風を吹き込んだ。
かれのでざいんはざんしんで、ぎょうかいにしんせんなかぜをふきこんだ。
His design was innovative, breathing fresh air into the industry.
斬新なあいであを歓迎する文化こそが、その会社の最大の強みだ。
ざんしんなあいであをかんげいするぶんかこそが、そのかいしゃのさいだいのつよみだ。
A culture that welcomes innovative ideas is precisely the company's greatest strength.
時代を超えた作品は、発表当時は斬新すぎて理解されないことも多い。
じだいをこえたさくひんは、はっぴょうとうじはざんしんすぎてりかいされないこともおおい。
Works that transcend their era are often too novel to be understood at the time of their release.
Quick Quiz
Quick Quiz
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