akutagawa: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low (Proper noun, specialized context)Formal, Academic, Literary
Quick answer
What does “akutagawa” mean?
The surname of Ryūnosuke Akutagawa, a prominent Japanese author, often used to refer to him, his literary works, or their distinctive style.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The surname of Ryūnosuke Akutagawa, a prominent Japanese author, often used to refer to him, his literary works, or their distinctive style.
Used metonymically to refer to early 20th-century Japanese literature, the themes of psychological realism, moral ambiguity, and modern reinterpretations of classical tales, or a prestigious Japanese literary prize named in his honor.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in referential meaning. The literary prize is equally recognized.
Connotations
Connotes high literary culture, intellectualism, and Japanese modernism in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both, confined to literary, academic, or cultural discussions.
Grammar
How to Use “akutagawa” in a Sentence
NOUN + of + Akutagawa (e.g., 'a story of Akutagawa')VERB + Akutagawa (e.g., 'study Akutagawa', 'translate Akutagawa')Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “akutagawa” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- Her thesis explores the Akutagawa-esque elements in the novel.
- The film has a distinctly Akutagawa sensibility.
American English
- His writing is very Akutagawa-like in its bleak precision.
- She appreciated the Akutagawa-inspired narrative structure.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Common in literature, Japanese studies, and comparative literature departments.
Everyday
Extremely rare, except among readers of Japanese literature.
Technical
Used in literary criticism and translation studies.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “akutagawa”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “akutagawa”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “akutagawa”
- Using it as a common noun (e.g., 'an akutagawa' is incorrect).
- Mispronouncing the 'g' as soft /dʒ/; it is /ɡ/.
- Confusing the author with the prize (e.g., 'He won Akutagawa' vs. 'He won the Akutagawa Prize').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is exclusively a proper noun referring to the author or the prize named after him.
The most common English approximation is /əˌkuːtəˈɡɑːwə/ (uh-koo-tuh-GAH-wuh), with equal stress on 'GAH'.
It is a semi-annual Japanese literary prize, awarded for the best serious literary story by a promising new writer, named after Ryūnosuke Akutagawa.
No, it is not italicized. Italics are for titles of works (e.g., 'In a Grove'), not for author surnames.
The surname of Ryūnosuke Akutagawa, a prominent Japanese author, often used to refer to him, his literary works, or their distinctive style.
Akutagawa is usually formal, academic, literary in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None directly; the name itself is a cultural idiom for literary prestige in Japan.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a sharp (Aku) pen writing on rice paper in a river (gawa) valley, symbolizing a famous Japanese writer.
Conceptual Metaphor
AKUTAGAWA IS A PRECISE SURGICAL INSTRUMENT (for dissecting the human psyche).
Practice
Quiz
What is Ryūnosuke Akutagawa best known for?