作家（さっか、saっka）
- writer

The Japanese word 作家 (作家, さっか) primarily means "writer," "author," or "artist." It refers to someone who creates literary works, such as novels, short stories, poems, essays, or plays. The term can also extend to artists in other creative fields, like filmmakers, manga artists, or songwriters, especially when emphasizing their creative work. The key is the creation of original content.

⚫︎ 彼は有名な小説作家です。 Translation: He is a famous novelist. ⚫︎ その作家の新しい映画を見たい。 Translation: I want to see that artist's new movie. ⚫︎ この作家は短編小説で知られています。 Translation: This writer is known for short stories.

⚫︎ Use 作家 when referring to the profession or role of someone who creates written works or other artistic content. ⚫︎ It is appropriate in formal and informal contexts. ⚫︎ It can be used to describe the creator of a single work or the author of a body of work. ⚫︎ When specifying the type of work created, you can often add a clarifying noun, such as 小説 (novel) or 映画 (movie).

⚫︎ The word is written with the kanji 作家. ⚫︎ The reading is さっか (作家) in hiragana. ⚫︎ There are no variations in the okurigana.

⚫︎ 著述家 (ちょじゅつか): Author, writer (more formal) ⚫︎ 文筆家 (ぶんぴつか): Writer, author (emphasizes writing skills) ⚫︎ 芸術家 (げいじゅつか): Artist (broader term, can encompass 作家) ⚫︎ 作家 (さっか): Author; writer (作家 used on its own, for example in a list of categories)

There isn't a direct antonym. However, depending on the context, one might consider: ⚫︎ 読者 (どくしゃ): Reader ⚫︎ 批評家 (ひひょうか): Critic

その作家は、子供向けの絵本をたくさん書いています。 ・Translation: That author writes many children's picture books. ・Explanation: This sentence uses 作家 to refer to a person who writes children's books.

彼の作家としての目標は、世界中で読まれる作品を作ることです。 ・Translation: His goal as a writer is to create works that are read worldwide. ・Explanation: This sentence indicates his aspiration as a professional author.

作家 is a compound word. ⚫︎ 作 (さく): means "to make," "to create," or "work." ⚫︎ 家 (か): means "person" or "expert." Therefore, 作家 literally means "maker of works" or "expert creator."